Russia’s recognition of Ukraine’s breakaway regions 'unacceptable': Turkish president

By Mumin Altas

ANKARA (AA) - Russia's recognition of breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine is unacceptable, said the Turkish president on Tuesday.

Speaking from Africa during a three-nation tour, Recep Tayyip Erdogan also called on the parties in the Ukraine crisis to abide by common sense and international law in the wake of Russia’s latest moves, including sending troops to eastern Ukraine.

As Turkiye is a Black Sea country, many measures are needed for the situation in Ukraine – which is also on the Black Sea – and it is already taking such measures, said Erdogan.

To help resolve the situation, Turkiye is also ready to take part in a joint summit of the UN Security Council along with Germany, as proposed by Ukraine, if the other countries agree, Erdogan added.

On a visit to Turkiye by Israel’s president expected next month, he said: "We place importance on Isaac Herzog’s visit to Turkiye, which could lead to developments in other areas."

The visit is seen as a sign of a possible thaw in Turkish-Israeli relations.

On Turkiye’s ties with Saudi Arabia, Erdogan said: "Turkiye wants to improve its relations with Saudi Arabia, we want positive dialogue and to improve ties through concrete steps."

- Russia's decision

In a speech late Monday, Putin announced the recognition of the separatist regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, also attacking Ukraine’s government and accusing the West of ignoring Moscow’s core security concerns.

Later, he ordered the deployment of Russian troops to “maintain peace” in the breakaway regions.

Putin’s moves have been widely condemned as serious violations of international law, and Western countries have vowed harsh new sanctions.

The US and its European allies have said Russia is setting the stage to invade Ukraine with a buildup of over 100,000 troops and heavy equipment in and around its neighbor.

Russia has denied that it is preparing to invade and instead accuses Western countries of undermining its security through NATO’s expansion toward its borders.

In 2014, Moscow began supporting separatist forces in eastern Ukraine against the central government. The conflict has taken more than 13,000 lives, according to the UN.