‘Turkiye’s peaceful role in Ukraine-Russia crisis welcomed by both sides’

By Muhammed Ali Toruntay, Selma Kasap and Ayse Sensoy Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) - The spokesman for Turkiye's Justice and Development (AK) Party on Monday praised Turkiye’s constructive role in the Ukraine-Russia crisis.

“While many countries and leaders in the world can address only one side of the crisis, only Turkiye and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are able to put forward an approach that is welcomed by both sides,” said Omer Celik during an AK Party Central Executive Board meeting chaired by Erdogan.

Recent developments in domestic and foreign policy as well as issues of digital politics and metaverse technology were discussed in detail during the closed-door meeting at the party’s headquarters, said Celik.

Commenting on the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine, Celik said Turkiye's peaceful role which promotes diplomatic negotiations between the conflicting sides is very valuable.

He noted that Turkiye’s desire to end the current tensions and prevent the emergence of new conflicts in the Black Sea region is extremely important for regional peace.

Underlining that the region is not ready for a new war, Celik said the existing tensions could trigger other regional crises through the domino effect.

He also stressed the importance of Erdogan's upcoming visit to Ukraine scheduled for February in reducing regional tensions.

Celik said Erdogan told the meeting that he will also hold official talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin following his visit to Kyiv.

The US, with its European allies, has been warning that Russia is setting the stage for an invasion of Ukraine and has pre-positioned over 100,000 troops on its border with the former Soviet republic alongside significant artillery and tank deployments.

Moscow has denied that it is preparing for a military offensive, saying its troops are there for regular exercises.

Celik also said that a forum on the issue of the metaverse will soon be held under the auspices of Erdogan.

The technological, philosophical, political and economic dimensions of this concept will be widely discussed during the forum, which will be organized by the AK Party, he noted.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz