Erdoğan’s Showdown to Russia: We Get Natural Gas from Different Places

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered the questions of journalists on plane en route to Tokyo to meet Japanese Emperor Akihito from Belgium capital Brussels where he paid a formal visit.

Erdoğan in response to question "Are you going to meet with Putin?" said "We are disappointed with the recent developments. It is meaningless to call him under these circumstances."

According to Hürriyet daily reporter Vahap Munyar, here are some of important parts from Erdoğan's statements:

"Russia's remarks on violations are frivalous"

"Violation of Turkey's airfield is a violation of NATO airfield. Russia's statements over violations are frivalous.

"It is indeed not nice of Russia to commit such violations towards its neighboring country; moreover a country which its high level cooperation mechanisms are in effect."

"We met with Putin, what happened afterwards is obvious"

"I had a long meeting with Putin on eve. Then we had a phone call as to Syrian air operations. What happened afterwards is obvious.

"An airfield violation happened. We are of course in disappointment due to these developments. It is meaningles to call him under these circumstances."

"Russia doesn't hit ISIS"

"Russia says 'If Iraq invities us, we will be there against ISIS' but Russia doesn't hit ISIS.

"It seems that their main concern is to establish a base in Latakia and enforce their military presence in Syria. They sent 50 warplanes over there. We cannot embrace the present situation."
"May Russia consider it well"

"In case Russia doesn't build Mersin Akkuyu, some others will do. It is Russia that needs to be more sensitive as it already invested $3 billion in it. We are number one natural gas consumer of Russia. Losing Turkey is a huge loss for Russia. On the other hand, we wouldn't like our relations to worsen either."

"I may call Obama"

"Turkey-US meetings have begun well in advance. Our meetings have been ongoing for a long time. Next week I may have a phone call with Obama so we can discuss the matter in detail." (EKN/TK)

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