Erdoğan: Our Nation is Used to Suffering

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with journalists in plane en route to Qatar from France where he attended United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Erdoğan talking about Turkey-Russia ties following shooting down Russian warplane criticized Russia’s post-factum policies.   

“Other countries stand by us”

“The main topic in bilateral talks was the developments between Russia and Turkey. I held bilateral talks with Hollande, Merkel, and Poroshenko. I also met Obama before leaving Paris.

“In these meetings, all these four countries are of the opinion that Turkey is right and they said ‘We as NATO are always by Turkey’s side’.”

“They don’t believe in Russia”

“It is sad that Russia has right away resorted to black propaganda. They are launching a serious campaign of abuse. However, the world leaders surely don’t believe that. That is the impression I got from the leaders I met.

“Russia is losing its plausibility. For instance, Mr. Putin’s claim that Turkey receives oil from DAİŞ (ISIS-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) has no plausibility”.

“He used to call me courageous”

“Putin’s statements on me are all about my courage and braveness. He also has many sayings on my honest statesmanship.

“Especially when we come together with Berlusconi, Schroder and himself, his words are always in this line”.

“We didn’t impose sanction on Russia”

“At times when everyone imposed sanction on Russia, Turkey didn’t. It is our strategical ally. We said we’ll continue to give export products including food.

“Look what they are doing now. They say we will not receive food products and punish our businessmen. They don’t comply with state graveness”.

“Our nation is used to suffering”

“As you know, we didn’t have natural gas before, it is known of how long it has been since we started using it. Our nation is used to suffering.

“Besides, there is no such thing as we’re done without Russian gas. I have already expressed that we purchase natural gas from many other countries”. (EKN/TK)

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