Xinhua recently reported that a Turkish presidential spokesman reiterated not long ago that Turkey will not follow the West to sanction Russia, and Turkey needs to consider its own economic interests. Turkey has publicly informed Western countries about its position, but, from time to time, it is still under pressure from Western countries to sanction Russia. Turkey emphasized that the Turkish position is “very firm” that they “will not do that.” Since Russia launched a special military operation against Ukraine on February 24, the United States and the European Union have imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Russia. However, as Russia is the EU’s main supplier of natural gas and crude oil, the backlash caused by the sanctions has made the EU even more embarrassed. Turkey’s disagreement with Europe revolves not only over whether to sanction Russia, but also over whether to support Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO. On March 29, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators started a new round of negotiations at the Presidential Palace in the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish President Erdogan met with representatives of both sides before the start of the peace talks and expressed his willingness to facilitate the Russian-Ukrainian Presidential Meeting in Turkey.
Source: Xinhua, June 27, 2022
http://www.news.cn/world/2022-06/27/c_1211661204.htm