ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed deep concern on Thursday over the escalating tensions between NATO and Russia and said that any possibility of a direct confrontation between the two sides was “worrying,” the official Anadolu news agency reported.
Erdogan’s remarks come as NATO leaders convened in Washington for a summit overshadowed by heightened geopolitical uncertainties.
“The possibility of a direct conflict between NATO and Russia is undoubtedly worrying,” Erdogan stated during his presence at the NATO summit in Washington. “Any actions that could escalate towards this outcome must be avoided with great caution.”
Erdogan’s comments were prompted by recent developments where NATO allies announced the deployment of F-16 jets to Ukraine, alongside reaffirmations of support for Kyiv’s aspirations of NATO membership. These moves have intensified amid a backdrop of increased hostilities, including a recent missile barrage by Russia on Ukraine that resulted in multiple casualties, including at a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that Russia is planning “response measures” to contain the “very serious threat” posed by the Western military alliance, NATO, Russian news agencies reported.
The Kremlin spokesman’s comments underscored Russia’s deepening concerns over NATO’s activities, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Peskov also said NATO, which is holding a summit in Washington, was now “fully involved in the conflict over Ukraine”.
Speaking at a press briefing in St. Petersburg, Peskov criticized NATO’s recent decisions, including the establishment of logistics hubs in Black Sea cities and additional military points in Europe. These moves, according to Peskov, indicate NATO’s gradual expansion of military infrastructure towards Russia’s borders.
“NATO’s decision-making, including the declaration to suppress and strategically defeat Russia, reveals the alliance’s hostile policies,” Peskov said. He highlighted NATO’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, accusing the alliance of abandoning talks and opting for confrontation.
“The North Atlantic Alliance is demonstrating its confrontational nature through its actions and decisions at the Washington summit,” Peskov remarked, referring to the ongoing NATO summit from July 9-11. He emphasized that Russia views NATO not as a security partner but as an instrument of confrontation.
Peskov underscored Russia’s readiness to respond to what it perceives as a threat to its national security with “thoughtful, coordinated, and effective” measures. He acknowledged ongoing discussions regarding adjustments to Russia’s nuclear doctrine in response to NATO’s activities but clarified that nuclear deterrence is just one aspect of Russia’s broader response strategy.
