JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that Turkey does not recognize any steps that go against Ukraine's territorial integrity, his office said, after Russia recognized two breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine.
President Putin's decision sparked a wave of sanctions from Western powers against Russia. NATO member Turkey, which is Ukraine's and Russia's neighbors on the Black Sea, in principle opposes the sanctions, but called Russia's move unacceptable, while offering to mediate.
In a telephone call, President Erdoan told President Putin the military conflict in the region would benefit no one and reiterated his offer to help resolve the crisis, his office said in a statement.
The statement also said that President Erdoan appreciated the close cooperation that was established with President Putin on regional issues, and wanted to continue the relationship.
"President Erdogan, who renewed his call for this issue to be resolved through dialogue, stated it was important to bring diplomacy to the forefront, and that (Turkey) also continues its constructive stance on NATO," the office said in a statement.
President Putin expressed disappointment with President Erdogan over what he said was an attempt by Washington and NATO to ignore Russia's security demands, Interfax quoted the Kremlin as saying.
Earlier, President Erdogan was quoted by the media as saying Turkey could not abandon its relations with Russia or Ukraine, and criticized the West's diplomatic efforts with Moscow which had made little progress.
"It is impossible for us to leave either (country)," he was quoted as saying by the Turkish broadcaster, and called on Ukraine and Russia to continue negotiations, while urging NATO to take a stand and do whatever it takes, following the summit on Wednesday. .
"Our goal is, we take steps in such a way that, God willing, we resolve this without neglecting any of them," said President Erdogan.
Separately, Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar told Reuters Kyiv views the presence of Russian warships on the Black Sea coast near Ukraine as a threat.
And in that regard, Ukraine will ask Ankara to consider closing its two straits to Russian ships if Moscow attacks.
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