Erdoğan warns against NATO-Russia conflict

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has warned of a direct conflict between NATO and Russia at a key summit where the alliance has reiterated its unwavering political, economic and military support to Ukraine to defend its territories against the Russian occupation.

"The probability of a direct conflict between NATO and Russia is undoubtedly worrying. Any steps that could lead to this outcome should be consciously avoided," Erdoğan was quoted as saying by the Anadolu Agency.

President Erdoğan is in Washington D.C. to attend a NATO leaders' summit that marks the 75th anniversary of the military alliance. The summit recalibrated NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities through the adjustment of its command structure in line with the amendment of the security architect in Europe as a result of the war staged by Russia against Ukraine in 2022.

Erdoğan has also voiced Türkiye's expectation from the allies in the fight against terrorism. Ankara's main expectation from the allies is to adopt an anti-terror approach similar to Türkiye's, the president said, adding "For those who think that a terror state can be established in our region, it is a big dream which will never realize.

Erdoğan referred to the YPG/PKK's efforts to create their own entity in northern parts of Syria and Iraq and reiterated that Türkiye's main wish is to see Syria totally cleared of the terrorists and become a prosperous state being run by the Syrians.

On the continued war between Israel and Hamas, Erdoğan renewed Türkiye's concerns over Israel's efforts to spread the conflict to the region, saying that these must be ended. "Otherwise our region will face deeper conflicts, even with the risk of war," he urged.

On a question about Türkiye's talks with the...