Turkish and Ukrainian flags were flown during a welcoming ceremony for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan before his meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine, February 3, 2022. Press service of the Ukrainian President / Distribution via REUTERS
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ISTANBUL, April 16 (Reuters) – Ukraine is working with Turkey, a NATO member, as much as possible to gain more support for the Russian invasion and understands – though not happy – the reality of Ankara’s parallel ties with Moscow, a Ukrainian diplomat said.
Ankara has criticized the invasion and sold drones to Kyiv, despite Russia’s objections. But he also opposed Western sanctions against Moscow and maintained careful rhetoric, refraining from accusing any of the parties to the conflict, even amid reports of war crimes in parts of Ukraine.
“We will be happy if Turkey joins the sanctions” and reduced flights from Russia. “But we understand this reality,” the diplomat told foreign journalists on Friday, requesting anonymity.
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“… Instead of criticizing Turkey, we are working with the Turkish side as much as possible and not demanding something that is unbelievable,” the man added, noting that it is still the only country that has managed to unite Russian and Ukrainian peace negotiators.
Turkey, which relies heavily on Russian energy imports and tourists, is emerging as a safe haven for Russians fleeing sanctions, and many have invested in Turkish property. Read more
The diplomat cites data showing that more than 100,000 Russians have arrived in Turkey and sought residence documents since the start of the war. However, about 85,000 Ukrainians arrived during the same period, of whom about 47,000 later moved to other countries or returned home, the man said.
Turkey has also banned some Russian warships from crossing its straits to the Black Sea, thus “saving” the coastal city of Odessa in Ukraine, which has withstood Russian attacks, the diplomat said. Read more
Some Russian ships are still in transit and could deliver supplies from Syrian waters, the diplomat said, adding: “We ask the Turkish side to monitor what they bring from Syria to Russia.”
Turkey opposes Russia’s policies in Syria and Libya and the annexation of Crimea in 2014, but bought Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, for which Ankara was affected by US sanctions in December 2020.
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Report by Jonathan Spicer; Edited by Tuvan Gumrukcun and John Stonestreet
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