Erdogan: I will discuss tension with Putin
The Turkish President rules out the possibility of a Russian "invasion" of Ukraine and considers it an unrealistic approach.
On Tuesday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying that the thought of a Russian invasion of Ukraine was unrealistic and that he needs to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the issue.
The West has expressed concern over a potential "invasion" of Ukraine by Russia. Such proposals have been refuted by Russia.
"I don't view Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a realistic approach because Ukraine is not an ordinary country. Ukraine is a strong country," Erdogan told reporters on a trip to Albania on Monday, according to broadcaster NTV.
"For Russia to take that step, it would need to revise the situation in the whole world and its own," he said, adding the region could not accept a war anymore and that such a move will "not be right."
"Of course, we need to put these issues on the table with Putin and discuss them."
Russia slams US claims on Ukraine as 'misguiding'
Earlier, US intelligence officials accused Russia of putting effort to create a pretext for its troops to "invade Ukraine", according to the White House.
The intelligence findings, according to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, show Russia is laying the groundwork through a social media disinformation campaign that portrays Ukraine as an aggressor preparing an imminent attack against Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine.
“We are concerned that the Russian government is preparing for an invasion in Ukraine that may result in widespread human rights violations and war crimes should diplomacy fail to meet their objectives,” Psaki said.
In response, the Russian Embassy in the United States has described the recent remarks of the White House about Moscow's alleged preparations for an invasion of Ukraine as "information pressure".
"Such statements confirm the incessant information pressure on our country. Moreover, the same scenario is repeated: there is a 'stuffing' of a sensation, which then, repeated many times by the media, turns into the main news," the Russian diplomatic mission said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.
US paints frightening images on Ukraine
Earlier, the US State Department is spreading false information about Russia's alleged troop buildup for a military invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said Monday.
"Recently, Washington officials have been actively intimidating the global community with Russia's alleged preparation for 'aggression' against Ukraine," the SVR said.
The apparatus also said incoming data shows that the United States has been bringing to its allies and partners "absolutely false information" regarding the concentration of forces on the territory of Russia for "a military invasion of Ukraine," the Service added.
"These accusations are completely false," it asserted.