Turkey closes airspace to Russian planes heading to Syria

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According to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey restricted its airspace to Russian military and civilian jets flying to Syria when their flight permission expired in April.

"We closed airspace to Russian military planes and even civilian planes flying to Syria," Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the Sabah newspaper.

The Turkish Foreign minister revealed that Turkey had given a three-month period for Russians to have "permission until April."

"Our president told [Russian President Vladimir] Putin about it. The flights stopped then," Cavusoglu said adding that "the process is continuing via a dialogue on the Montreux Convention and other issues." 

Turkey: Joining sanctions against Russia unrealistic

Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey's Foreign Minister, had stated on April 14 that it would be unrealistic for his country to join in sanctions against Russia.

"We keep an eye on the UN sanctions, we comply with them. But in terms of joining the sanctions imposed by individual states, I think, they themselves understand that in light of Turkey’s position as a mediator it is not realistic," Cavusoglu said in an interview with Turkey's NTV channel. 

Cavusoglu said that Turkey's Western allies often ask it about the reasons behind its position, to which he replies that Turkey's role as a mediator necessitates this position. 

"We are often asked if we are going to close the sky. You know, Turkey holds the position of an intermediary, aimed at stabilizing the situation," the top diplomat said.

Regarding the normalization of bilateral relations between Turkey and Armenia, Cavusoglu said representatives of Yerevan and Ankara should hold meetings in Armenia or Turkey to that end. 

"If we are talking about the normalization of relations, then why do not we hold meetings in Turkey or Armenia? We have expressed such readiness," the foreign minister said, adding that the next meeting of the countries' special representatives will be held in Vienna.