RTTue, 03 Dec 2019 07:39 UTC
© Presidential Press Office via REUTERSFILE PHOTO. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses lawmakers.
The Turkish president reiterated his demand for NATO allies to support his country's fight against Kurdish militias. Speaking ahead of a NATO gathering, he said Turkey's membership does not mean it can't be friends with Russia.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan found himself at odds with some allies recently when he ordered a military incursion into Syria targeting Syrian Kurdish militias along the border. His French counterpart, Emmanuel
Macron cited Ankara's failure to consult with other members as a reason for considering NATO"brain dead."This week, the two leaders will have the opportunity to discuss their differences in person when NATO convenes for a low-key meeting to celebrate its 70th anniversary. Before departing to London on Tuesday for the two-day event, Erdogan said NATO needs to change with the times, and reiterated his demand for "unconditional" support for Turkey's military action in Syria. The Kurdish militias there are considered terrorists by Ankara.
Erdogan said unless his condition is met, Turkey will continue to obstruct NATO's deployment plans in the Baltic and Poland. Ankara's consent is necessary to pour more of NATO's resources into the Eastern European allies - ostensibly to protect them against a hypothetical attack by Russia. Moscow denies having any intention of attacking either of the allies.
The Turkish president also defended the good ties his country has with Russia, saying it does not contradict being a member of NATO. Among other things, Turkey bought advanced Russian air defense systems despite vocal objections from Washington,
has received the first deliveries of Russian gas through a freshly-built underwater pipeline, and is closely involved with Moscow in Syria.
Comment: Although Putin seems to disagree that
new NATO-like military blocs are necessary, and that perhaps they can even play a part in hindering cooperation:
Arab media's full interview with Putin: Russia 'does not build alliances against anyone'More from
RT:
Trump says Turkey very good member of NATO... or will be, while Erdogan challenges alliance to keep up with the times
Turkey, which demands "unconditional" support from other NATO members for its fight against Kurdish militias, is a "very good member" of the alliance which "could not have been nicer" to the US, President Donald Trump believes.
The compliment to Turkey and its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who Trump once cautioned not to be a "fool," came as NATO members are gathering in the UK to mark its anniversary. Sitting alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Trump said as far as he is concerned, Turkey is just fine.
© REUTERS / Joshua RobertsFILE PHOTO. Donald Trump greets Tayyip Erdogan after a joint news conference at the White House.
"I like Turkey. And I get along very well with the president. He is a very good member of NATO, or will be."
Trump added that Turkey "could not have been nicer" to the US when it went after terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was hiding in the part of Syria largely controlled by Turkish-backed military groups.
"We flew over areas that were totally controlled by the Turks and the Turkish military. We said we were coming. They were very supportive, actually. We didn't tell them what we were doing and where we were going. Turkey could not have been nicer and more supportive," he said.
Trump also addressed Turkey's purchase of Russian long-range surface-to-air missiles. He criticized his predecessor, Barack Obama, for not allowing Ankara to buy the American product instead and seemingly blasted his own administration for punishing Turkey for the Russian purchase by cutting Turkey off the F-35 fighter jet program.
"All they are going to do now is they will go to another country whether it is Russia or China. They don't want to do it. They want to buy the best plane... But they are making it very difficult for them to buy it in Washington," Trump said.
Earlier in the day, Erdogan demanded NATO's support for Turkey's military campaign targeting Syrian Kurdish militias, which has been a matter of great controversy for European allies. The Turkish leader demanded NATO renew itself to keep up with the times, and said his country will continue to block NATO's plan for deployment of assets in Eastern Europe, unless his demand is met.
Stoltenberg, during his meeting with Trump, tried to downplay the conflict within the military bloc, saying NATO's strength comes from its ability overcome differences for the sake of fighting for a common security goal.
See also:
In related news RT asked people on the streets of the UK what they thought of NATO and its 'accomplishments':
Comment: Although Putin seems to disagree that new NATO-like military blocs are necessary, and that perhaps they can even play a part in hindering cooperation: Arab media's full interview with Putin: Russia 'does not build alliances against anyone'
More from RT: See also: