Russia's Value Is The Same As The West, President Erdogan: I Have No Reason Not To Join Them

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkey)

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that he is collaborating with Russia and trusting him, just as he trusts the West.

"I have no reason not to trust them (Russia). As is the West reliable, Russia is also reliable. Over the past 50 years we have stood on the threshold of the European Union and now I trust Russia no less than the West," the Turkish leader said in an interview broadcast by PBS., reported TASS September 19.

"Half of our natural gas shipments come from Russia, a sign of our solidarity. We are taking a joint step forward and we are also working together in the defense industry. We can do all of this together with Russia," said President Erdogan.

President Erdogan further said Ankara and EU member states had different positions towards Russia.

"Russia is one of my closest neighbors. And we have the same history," said President Erdogan.

He also argues that the conflict in Ukraine "can continue for a long time." Even so, Turkey hopes that "this conflict will end as soon as possible," the president added.

President Erdogan also stressed that Moscow " REALLY sticks to a position to end this conflict as soon as possible".

As previously reported, President Erdogan said no party would lose if peace was realized in Ukraine as the war ended, on the contrary, it would be the victory of all parties.

President Erdogan has repeatedly said that Ankara supports Moscow and Kyiv returning to Istanbul for talks. Both sides last held negotiations in March 2022.

Most recently, the Ankara Government confirmed its readiness to actively facilitate the process of achieving a ceasefire agreement of warring parties in Ukraine, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said.

"We are closely monitoring the events that occurred between Russia and Ukraine, which seriously threaten the security of our region and the rest of the world," the Hurriyet newspaper quoted the ministry as saying.

"We affirm our readiness to play an active and helpful role in ensuring a stable ceasefire and peace, as well as providing comprehensive support in easing the humanitarian crisis," the ministry continued, which said after President Erdogan met with President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on September 4.