Erdogan: Ukraine cannot tolerate war, which should be thing of the past

‘A Russian invasion of Ukraine is not a realistic approach,’ says Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding, ‘It wouldn’t be right’

With the prospect of conflict in Ukraine not “tolerable,” wars should become a thing of the past, said the Turkish president on Tuesday, speaking on Ukraine’s current tense standoff with Russia.

“A Russian invasion of Ukraine is not a realistic approach,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan told journalists on his way back from a visit to Albania.

Erdogan said that Ukraine is no ordinary country but it is a strong one, adding that before taking action on Ukraine, “Russia should review its situation as well as the situation around the world.”

Pointing to the need to discuss the situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Erdogan stressed, “These regions can no longer tolerate war. It wouldn’t be right. We have to erase war from the history of politics.”

Amid the Russian military buildup on Ukraine’s borders, and Western countries threatening sanctions in case of military action, Turkiye is in a unique position, as it enjoys friendly relations with both Moscow and Kyiv.

Erdogan said that Turkiye’s policy on a possible invasion is clear, as can be seen in its position on Russian-occupied Crimea.

Russian forces entered the Crimean Peninsula in February 2014, with Putin formally making the region part of the Russian Federation.

Turkiye and the US, as well as the UN General Assembly, view the annexation as illegal.

Erdogan also said he would consult with Azerbaijani President Aliyev, who visited Ukraine last week.