Erdogan speaks with Putin after the conversation with Ukrainian President Poroshenko
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin during which the parties discussed the situation in the Black Sea region, stated the Kremlin’s website. Turkey initiated the talks.
The Kremlin stated that Erdogan and Putin exchanged their views regarding the incident in the Kerch Strait where Russia captured three Ukrainian ships and twenty-four sailors. "In the context of the dangerous incident in the region of the Kerch Strait provoked by Kyiv authorities, the parties exchanged their views regarding stability and security in the Black Sea region,” said Putin’s press service. The Presidents also talked about the situation in Syria.
Earlier, Erdogan had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Erdogan condemned the escalation and Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine in the waters of the Kerch Strait. Poroshenko called for increased pressure on Russia to release Ukrainian sailors and ships. They also agreed that Erdogan would raise the Ukrainian issue in Buenos Aires on the Summit of G20.
Poroshenko has stated that he also expects the support of the USA on the G20 Summit. He hopes that US President Donald Trump will be able to influence Putin into leaving Ukraine alone.
Poroshenko has also said that one way to support Ukraine would be for NATO to send ships to the Black Sea.