Status: 07.09.2022 20:01
While the EU Commission is considering a price cap for imports of Russian gas, Turkish President Erdogan sees Western politics as a “provocation” by Russia – and shows understanding for Putin.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described the political reactions from the West to the Ukraine war and its consequences as a “provocation” towards Russia.
During a visit to the Serbian capital, Belgrade, Erdogan said: “I can say quite frankly that I don’t think the attitude the West is taking is right.” This is “a West that is pursuing a policy based on provocation”.
“Why didn’t you think about that earlier?”
Erdogan went on to say that as long as efforts are made to wage such a war “through provocation”, it will not be possible to achieve a result.
In response, Russia turned off natural gas. In fact, less Russian gas is currently flowing through the pipeline to Germany than actually agreed with Russia. Regarding the Western reactions to the high energy prices, Erdogan said:
Prices in Europe suddenly went up. Now everyone is thinking hard about how to overcome this winter. Why didn’t you think of that earlier?
Erdogan: West delivers “only scrap” in Ukraine
At the same time, Erdogan accused the West of only supporting Ukraine with “junk”. He said: “It is claimed that weapons were sent. Any scrap they find, they send to Ukraine.”
Erdogan is apparently aiming for ring exchanges. More modern weapon systems are supplied to states, which send tanks of Soviet design to Ukraine in return. There is currently such a deal with the Czech Republic, for example. The aim of this ring exchange is to supply the Ukraine with heavy weapons of Soviet design as quickly as possible. These can be operated by Ukrainian soldiers without training.
Turkey wants to mediate
Turkey has repeatedly presented itself as a mediator in the war between Ukraine and Russia, without taking sides with either side. Turkey has good relations with both Russia and Ukraine. On the one hand, Ankara delivered military drones to Kyiv – but on the other hand it did not join the western sanctions against Moscow.
As Turkey, we have always maintained a policy of balance between Ukraine and Russia, from now on we will continue to pursue this balanced policy.
In terms of grain deliveries, this line had proved useful: Russia and Ukraine, mediated by Turkey and the UN, signed an agreement in July to resume grain deliveries to Ukraine. Deliveries had previously been halted for months due to the Russian war of aggression and the blockade of Ukrainian ports.
Europe to blame for the energy crisis
Already on Tuesday, the Turkish President blamed “Europe” for the current energy crisis. “Europe reaps what it sows,” Erdogan said.
The sanctions imposed on Russia would inevitably have led to this point. “Putin uses all his means and weapons. Natural gas is the most important of them.” Erdogan followed the Kremlin’s line of argument.
Turkey and Russia want to work closely together economically
During a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Erdogan in August in Sochi on the Black Sea, the two countries signed an agreement on increased economic cooperation, including in the areas of business and energy. Erdogan is expected to meet Putin at a regional summit in Uzbekistan next week.