Ukraine-Russia relations | Erdogan did not want an “increase in tensions”

France Media Agency

“Our main goal is to see the Black Sea become a sea of ​​peace and cooperation. We do not want tensions to escalate in our joint region,” the Turkish president told a news conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zhelensky during a visit to his country.

“We believe that the current crisis should be resolved through peaceful means based on respect for international law and the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” he said.

Amid renewed incidents between Kiev forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Russia, Ukrainian and American officials have expressed concern over the arrival of thousands of Russian troops and equipment at the Russian-Ukrainian border.

The Turkish head of state also said that Turkey was ready to give “any kind of support” for the resolution of the conflict and refused to recognize that Crimea had been occupied by Russia.

“Turkey needs support to restore our territorial sovereignty”, because the Ukrainian president confirmed his part.

Ankara announced on Friday that two American warships would sail across the Bosphorus to the Black Sea on April 14 and 15 in line with the Montreux summit.

The 1936 agreement guarantees free navigation of civilian ships in the Turkish Strait. But countries that do not border the Black Sea must announce their warship voyage 15 days in advance so that they do not stay on the spot for more than 21 days.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called for the protection of the deal during a phone call to his Turkish counterpart on Friday, which led to a recent debate in Turkey over the canal project.

Observers say the termination of the deal will make it easier for warships from mature countries such as the United States and other NATO member states to enter the Black Sea, something Moscow sees as an advantage. Evil eye.