Russian-Turkish Consensus on De-Escalation and Avoiding Regional War
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to discuss the recent escalation in military tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as bilateral relations and a range of regional issues, according to a statement from the Turkish Presidency on Monday.
Regional Security at Risk
The Turkish Presidential statement noted that President Erdoğan voiced concern over the growing regional tensions, warning that the cycle of violence triggered by Israel’s attacks on Iran poses a threat to the security of the entire region.
He also criticized the conduct of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, describing it as a challenge to the international order. Erdoğan stressed that the region cannot withstand the outbreak of a new war.
Call for a Return to Negotiations
Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to diplomatic solutions since the onset of the crisis, emphasizing that the only viable path to resolving disputes with Iran lies in resuming negotiations as soon as possible.
Focus on Gaza Amid Rising Tensions
The Turkish President also highlighted the importance of maintaining attention on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, warning of a significant risk that Israel could use the conflict with Iran to advance unilateral actions in the region.
Putin: Agreement on De-escalation
According to the same statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed agreement with Turkey’s position on the urgent need to halt the escalation and open the door to political initiatives to prevent further deterioration in the region.
