Turkey: Joining sanctions against Russia unrealistic
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Turkey's Foreign Minister says it would unrealistic of Turkey to join in sanctions against Russia, and Erdogan plans to hold a phone call with Putin and Zelensky in the coming days.
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A joint press conference between the Turkish and Russian foreign ministers following talks in Moscow on March 16, 2022 (AFP)
Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey's Foreign Minister, said 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.
Erdogan to hold phone calls with Putin and Zelensky in coming days
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the coming days.
The phone calls aim to discuss the situation in Ukraine in order to bring the two sides closer to an agreement.
"Our president will continue talks with the leaders in the coming days, we, in turn, keep constant telephone contact with our Russian and Ukrainian colleagues. I had talks with the Ukrainian delegation at the talks with Moscow. Constant contacts are also maintained with the Russian side," Cavusoglu said.
