Istanbul, Feb 23, (dpa/GNA) – Turkey does not want to sever ties with Russia or Ukraine over the conflict between the two countries, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in remarks carried by state news agency Anadolu.

“It is not possible for us to give up either,” Erdogan told reporters on a flight back from Africa, saying that both political and economic ties to Russia and Ukraine were important to Ankara.

Erdogan criticized Western nations for failing to reach a diplomatic breakthrough. Turkey expects NATO allies take a concrete stance, he said, without elaborating.

Erdogan said he planned to have a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, but did not say when.
GNA

Istanbul, Feb 23, (dpa/GNA) – Turkey does not want to sever ties with Russia or Ukraine over the conflict between the two countries, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in remarks carried by state news agency Anadolu.

“It is not possible for us to give up either,” Erdogan told reporters on a flight back from Africa, saying that both political and economic ties to Russia and Ukraine were important to Ankara.

Erdogan criticized Western nations for failing to reach a diplomatic breakthrough. Turkey expects NATO allies take a concrete stance, he said, without elaborating.

Erdogan said he planned to have a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, but did not say when.
GNA