Contents tagged with turkey
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Turkey opposes Russian military bases in Syria
Turkey has voiced its opposition to the presence of Russian military bases in Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in a discussion with journalists, stated that Ankara does not support the establishment of any foreign military bases on Syrian territory, including those of Russia. "We do not endorse the presence of any bases in Syria—not just Russian, but any other," he emphasized. Fidan further highlighted that the decision should be made by the Syrian people, adding, "If they come to a …
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Turkey seeks U.S. exemption from Gazprombank sanctions amid energy dependency concerns
Amid the fallout from U.S. sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank affecting Turkey, Ankara is urging Washington to lift the restrictions specifically for the Turkish side. According to the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet, this topic was raised on December 13 during discussions in Ankara with an American delegation led by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The publication reminds us that the U.S. administration imposed sanctions on Gazprombank to hinder Russia's use of the international financial …
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Russia seeks Turkish assistance for troop withdrawal as Assad regime collapses in Syria
Russia has reached out to Turkey for support in ensuring the safe withdrawal of its troops from Syria following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Reports indicate that Russian forces plan to leave Syria, retaining only two strategic locations: the naval base in Tartus and the Khmeimim airbase. Troops are expected to be transported to areas controlled by Turkish forces and flown back to Russia from there.
The armed opposition has captured the capital, Damascus, leading President Bashar …
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Turkey's Foreign Minister stresses Ukraine's territorial integrity as path to peace
Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, emphasized the importance of considering Ukraine's territorial integrity when concluding the ongoing conflict. Speaking in an interview with Hürriyet, Fidan noted that the fatigue of the parties involved in the Russia-Ukraine war could lead to a "new situation" by 2025. Ankara maintains "special relations with both sides," he added. "A fair resolution of the war must be found within the framework of Ukraine's territorial integrity," Turkey's Foreign …
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Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov criticizes Turkey's weapon supply to Ukraine amid ongoing mediation efforts
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has openly criticized Turkey for its ongoing supply of weapons to Ukraine. Lavrov stated in an interview with the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet that Ankara continues its military-technical cooperation with the "Kyiv regime." According to Lavrov, Turkish weaponry is being used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to target Russian soldiers and civilians.
Lavrov argued that Turkey's actions stand in stark contradiction to its willingness to mediate in resolving what …
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Russian businesses struggle with payment processing through Turkish banks amidst Western sanctions
The Russian news outlet Vedomosti reports that Russian importers and intermediaries are facing challenges with payments via Turkey, whose banks Russian businesses use for transiting transactions to other countries, including Europe. According to the report, European banks have intermittently been refusing payments for goods from Turkish banks sent to Russian business suppliers. Specifically, one businessman ran into this issue in Bulgaria. Additionally, a Vedomosti source claims that Turkish …
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Turkish banks cut ties with Russian-linked companies amid U.S. sanctions threats
Turkish banks are increasingly shutting down accounts of companies engaged in business with Russia due to the threat of secondary U.S. sanctions, according to Russian Ambassador to Turkey Alexei Yerkhov.
"Problems in mutual settlements between the two countries persist. Cases of 'pushing out' companies involved in transiting goods to Russia have become more frequent in Turkish banks. These clients are being actively identified, their transfers are blocked, or their accounts are completely …
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Turkey launches new Ada-class corvette for Ukraine in Istanbul ceremony
In a ceremonious event in Istanbul, the Ada-class corvette "Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky" built for the Ukrainian Armed Forces was launched. Notable attendees included Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Navy Commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa, and First Lady Olena Zelenska. Representing the Turkish side was Haluk Bayraktar, a member of Turkish President Erdoğan’s family and owner of defense firm Baykar.
Ozgur Guleruz, CEO of shipbuilding company STM, addressed the audience, revealing that the corvette …
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Turkey seeks UN intervention as Russia ignores requests for access to Ukrainian POWs
QIRIM.News reports that Russia is ignoring Turkey's requests to grant access to Ukrainian prisoners of war and disclose the conditions under which these prisoners are held. During a meeting with the families of Ukrainian prisoners, Turkey's chief ombudsman Süleyman Malkaç stated, "I wrote a letter to the Russian Embassy in Ankara on July 5, 2024. In the letter, I mentioned my visit to Ukraine and my inspection of Russian prisoners held there. I also expressed my intent to visit Ukrainian …
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Turkey thwarts major terrorist plot in Moscow after Crocus City mall attack
Turkish special services helped to prevent a second terror attack in Moscow after the assault on the Crocus City Hall shopping center, which militants from the group "Vilayat Khorasan" — banned in Russia — were planning. This is reported by the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet.
It is noted that a crowded shopping center was chosen as the possible target. Turkish intelligence prevented this second major terrorist attack by contacting Moscow, the newspaper writes.
The "Vilayat Khorasan" group is …