Kremlin’s ‘Strategic Partner’ Turkey Tells Russia to Drop “One-Sided” NATO Demands

Turkey urged Russia on Monday to drop “one-sided” demands and adopt a more constructive approach in its standoff with Western powers and NATO over Ukraine.

NATO member Turkey has irritated Moscow by supplying combat drones to Ukraine that Russia fears could be used by Kiev in its conflict with separatists in two eastern regions.

But Turkey has also upset Washington and NATO by acquiring an advanced missile defense system from Russia that resulted in sanctions from the United States.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu urged Moscow and the Western defense alliance to air their differences in direct negotiations proposed by NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.

Russia wants NATO to provide Moscow with a binding security guarantee and withdraw its forces to positions they held before a wave of eastward expansion that began after the Soviet Union’s collapse.

“For any proposal to be accepted, it should be acceptable by both sides. [Is the security of NATO states threatened by Russia?] Russia made some proposals. But maybe NATO seeks the same kind of guarantees from Russia. This is not a one-sided issue,” Cavusoglu told reporters.

“If the requests are maximalist — I’m not saying that Russia is maximalist in any case — both sides must be constructive,” he said. “They should come to the table with proposals that both sides can accept.”

A NATO spokesman said the Brussels-based alliance had been “in touch” with Moscow about holding a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on Jan. 12.

Russia has not yet formally accepted the offer.

“If Russia has any certain specific expectation or issue from Turkey regarding reducing tensions between Russia and NATO, Turkey will evaluate this positively because our objective is clear,” said Cavusoglu.

“Everyone would be affected, God forbid, by conflict in the region.”

Cavusoglu

Source: AFP

7 Comments
  1. Cap960 says

    Russia saved Erdogan from a NATO a.k.a US coup. He returns the favor by sending weapons to Ukraine to kill Russians. Strange world we live in.

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    2. Ole says

      Its such a Trump way of thinking: I-helped-you-so-now-you-are-forever-in-my-debt.
      Russia helped Turkey to benefit themselves, Turkey helped themselves by selling to whoever wants to by, just link the bought from Russia. There is no altruism in this.

  2. SteveK9 says

    Stop construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant.

  3. XSFRGR says

    Now, while the U$ is weak, is Putin’s last, and best time to save Russia. If Putin blinks now it’s all over, and Russia will be subjected to the death of a thousand cut.

  4. Eddy says

    IF Turkey is such a good friend if Russia, where have they been until now ?
    Invading and occupying Syria is, IMHO not a very good sign of friendship, nor is shooting down Russian military A/C.

    1. Micheal Petrovich says

      Turks are sh_t. Allways have and allways will be.
      You can´t trust those roaches.

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