Ankara does not recognize the decision of the Russian Federation to recognize the DPR and LPR, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. He also noted that the military conflict in Ukraine is not beneficial to anyone. The President of the Russian Federation, in turn, pointed to "the objective necessity of the decision taken in the conditions of the aggression of the Ukrainian authorities in the Donbass and their categorical refusal to comply with the Minsk agreements." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, February 23.

“President Erdogan noted that Turkey does not recognize steps that are contrary to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

He stressed that this is a principled position, and results must be achieved on the basis of the Minsk agreements,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Erdogan stressed that the aggravation of the situation, especially the military conflict, will not benefit anyone. “He noted that Turkey stands for the continuation of diplomatic contacts and is ready to contribute to reduce tensions and maintain peace,” the message says.

The Turkish leader added that he was looking forward to Putin's visit. “President Erdogan said that he expects Putin to visit Turkey in the very near future to attend a meeting of the high-level cooperation council, as agreed during Erdogan’s visit to Sochi in September,” the office said.

In turn, Putin pointed to the “objective necessity of the decision in the face of the aggression of the Ukrainian authorities in the Donbass and their categorical refusal to comply with the Minsk agreements,” the Kremlin said in a release.

“The topic of developing long-term legal guarantees for the security of the Russian Federation was also touched upon. In this context, Vladimir Putin expressed his disappointment with the reaction of the United States and NATO, which amounted to an attempt to ignore legitimate Russian concerns and demands. It was agreed to continue Russian-Turkish contacts in various formats,” the press service of the President of the Russian Federation reported.

Before a telephone conversation with Putin, the Turkish leader also indicated that his country "does not have the ability to abandon Russia, despite the aggravation of the situation in Ukraine."

“Turkey cannot make a choice in favor of Russia or Ukraine.

We are focused on such steps to resolve the situation that would resolve this issue without damaging our ties with these countries, ”Anadolu quoted him as saying. Erdogan also noted that "Turkey must act very sensitively and take steps carefully."

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Recognition of the independence of the DPR and LPR

On February 21, Putin announced Russia's recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. Treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance were signed with their leaders. On February 22, these agreements were ratified by the parliaments of the DPR, LPR and the Russian Federation.

The text of one of the presidential decrees says that the Ministry of Defense must ensure, before the conclusion of an agreement on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance, "the implementation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic of peacekeeping functions." The order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in the decree recognizing the independence of the LPR is formulated in a similar way.

The decision to sign the documents was made after a sharp escalation of tension in the Donbass and the evacuation of the civilian population.

bbabo.Net