Turkey will not join sanctions against Russia

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, assured on Sunday that Ankara will not join the West in imposing sanctions against Russia for its military operation in Ukraine.

The spokesman pointed out that his country maintains good relations with the US and Western countries in general, but clings to "a balanced policy" with Russia, especially considering Ankara's dependence on energy supplies. .

"If the whole world throws down bridges, who will end up talking to Russia? Our economic relations are of such a nature that the imposition of sanctions would harm Turkey's economy more than Russia's. We have taken a clear position, and now the Westerners they have accepted it. They say nothing about Turkey's [sanctions] position for geopolitical reasons," Kalin stressed.

On the other hand, the presidential spokesman confirmed that Ankara is continuing its efforts to agree on the safe export of Ukrainian wheat, in particular, from the port of Odessa. In this regard, he indicated that a meeting including representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN can be organized in the city of Istanbul. Kalin stressed that kyiv is unwilling to proceed with demining the port, fearing Moscow's attacks on the city. "We are currently negotiating with Russia and Ukraine. We want to hold this meeting as soon as possible," he said.

The spokesman also spoke about Turkey's efforts to play the role of intermediary to ensure that Russia and Ukraine come to the negotiating table and end the conflict.

However, according to Kalin, "neither side has the clarity of mind and the political will" to resume dialogue. "There are several reasons. Ukraine says: 'It doesn't seem right to me to sit at the table while a third of my country is under occupation.' Russia, for its part, says: 'I am fortifying my position there, and when I sit at the table I will sit much stronger,'" he said.

"I don't know when [the dialogue] will start, I don't want to make predictions. [...] The longer the war lasts, the more the cost will increase. Then the ceasefire, the peace, the permanent peace steps will be much more difficult" , estimated.

    The West and kyiv blame Russia for aggravating the world food situation by blockading Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, preventing wheat exports. For their part, from Moscow they have repeatedly refuted such accusations. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense opens a daily humanitarian corridor for the departure of ships from Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that the country will guarantee the safe passage of Ukrainian ships if kyiv clears its ports.