TURKIYE’s president declares that his country is still eager to continue serious mediation between Russia and Ukraine.
He then accused the West of trying to drag his country into a conflict with Moscow.
In an interview with a Haber broadcaster, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said:
“We’re experiencing a world marked by crises and wars. We’ve been able to build a strong, independent Türkiye in this environment and we need to maintain it.”
Erdogan also declared that the West will not succeed in its attempts to drag his country into a conflict with Russia.
According to the Turkish president:
“Had it not been for our efforts in the past two years, the western club would’ve dragged Türkiye into a war against Russia. As long as we’re here, we won’t allow this.”
His interview comes weeks before Turkiye’s presidential and general elections take place on May 14th.
His ruling A.K. Party is expected to face serious challenges following the earthquake that claimed more than 50,000 lives in early February of this year.
Since the Russian offensive happened, Turkiye expressed that it wanted to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, and Ankara was involved in the U.N.-brokered agreement allowing grain exports from Black Sea Ports.
This agreement was signed between Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 and was extended for 60 more days just this March.
Turkiye, a country that was snubbed in this week’s second democracy summit of the United States, has maintained close contacts with Russia and Ukraine amid the conflict between both nations.
Turkiye has condemned Moscow’s use of force but still refused to join the western-led international sanctions.
