Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday criticized the collective West for underestimating Russia and pursuing policies intended to provoke Moscow. He spoke with reporters after meeting with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, in Belgrade, as part of a Balkans tour intended to promote Ankara’s regional diplomacy.
“I can clearly say that I do not find the attitude of the West [towards Russia] right. Because there is a West that follows a policy based on provocation,” Erdogan said at a joint press conference with Vucic on Wednesday evening, according to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency.
“I don’t have to name names, but there are several Western countries whose approach, we think, is incorrect,” Erdogan explained. “When you follow a provocation-based policy, you cannot achieve results.”
Meanwhile, Ankara has been pursuing a more “balanced” policy that has produced results such as the grain export arrangement signed in late July, the Turkish leader noted. Erdogan has visited both Ukraine and Russia and Turkey continues to do business with both countries, to the EU’s displeasure.