Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan convened an emergency Security Council on Thursday, following the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting will be attended by Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, commanders and intelligence officials.
On Wednesday, Erdogan stressed the need to maintain calm and that Turkey would maintain relations with the two countries amid continuing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
NATO member Turkey, which shares a maritime border with both Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea, has good ties with both of its neighbors and has offered to mediate in the crisis. Turkey is closely following developments and is in close contact with both Kiev and Moscow.
On the other hand, Turkey is also in a difficult position, as Ukraine has already announced yesterday that it will ask Ankara to close the Bosphorus Strait for Russian warships in case the situation develops as of Thursday morning: “In the event of a large-scale military invasion or military operation against Ukraine, we will ask the Turkish government to consider closing the Black Sea Straits to the attacking state,” Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara Vassil Bond told Reuters yesterday. As it became known on Thursday morning, the ambassador submitted a formal request to close the Straits.
In addition, the Turkish Foreign Ministry has issued instructions to its citizens in Ukraine stating that the airspace is closed, urging Turkish citizens to stay at home or in safe places, to avoid travel, while offering the necessary support and guidance to those wishing to leave the country.
Petros Kranias
Source: Capital
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