The war started by Russia against Ukraine will lead to serious changes in the world. The world is entering a new era of the Cold War and we must prepare for its consequences.
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said this during a meeting with members of the US Congress at the working office of the presidential residence Dolmabahce in Istanbul.
According to him, the new realities will affect many areas, including food, energy, cybersecurity, etc.
Kalyn recalled Ankara’s peacekeeping efforts to end the war in the north of the Black Sea. Meetings of representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine in Antalya and Istanbul became clear evidence of this, he noted.
According to Kalyn, after the meeting of the delegations of Ukraine and the Russian Federation in the Turkish metropolis, many had hope for peace, but then the situation became more complicated again.
The press secretary of the Turkish President stressed that despite the difficult situation, Ankara continues to make efforts to resume face-to-face dialogue between the representatives of the two countries, trying to prevent the war from escalating.
In particular, according to him, the Turkish authorities, in accordance with the Montreux Convention, decided not to let warships into the Black Sea, thereby reducing possible risks to the security of the region.
The press secretary of the Turkish President further pointed to the importance of strengthening the power of NATO and the relations of the member countries of the military-political bloc against the backdrop of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
He also drew attention to the sanctions previously imposed by the United States against Turkey in response to the purchase of S-400 air defense systems. “We must bring our positions closer, while restrictions against NATO allies are contrary to the spirit of partnership,” Ibrahim Kalyn stressed.
In turn, US Senator Richard Shelby called Turkey “a significant friend of the United States.”
“Turkey is a very important friend to the US and we are here to support this friendship in the context of trade, diplomacy and defense ties. Turkey has been and remains a loyal member of NATO. This is what we respect,” the congressman said.