Turkish ambassador: Military superiority won't bring peace to Russia-Ukraine conflict

"Today, Russia is occupying a sovereign country - Ukraine, violating its territorial integrity and international law. This does not seem right for the region, for the people, and for Russia itself," Turkish Ambassador to Georgia Fatma Ceren Yazgan said, Report informs.

According to her, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia bears responsibility for protection and peace and tranquillity around the world.

The ambassador noted that Turkiye stands by Ukraine: "Turkiye respects territorial integrity and sovereignty of partner, neighbour and friendly countries. Turkey is ready to help Ukraine and does not spare its help."

Yazgan noted that as a NATO member, Turkiye is in solidarity with partners in the Ukraine issue: "NATO is neither a part of, nor a party to the conflict. The solution to the conflict needs diplomacy. These efforts must be continued. If peace will be achieved, it will be at the expense of diplomacy, not military superiority. Turkiye believes that there should always be an opportunity for diplomacy. We must continue our diplomatic efforts. It is debatable whether Turkey can carry out this diplomacy alone because it is not only Turkey that bears responsible."

The ambassador noted that Turkiye applies provisions of the Montreux Convention: "We always keep our promise. We never promise what we cannot fulfil."

The diplomat called the events in Ukraine a human tragedy: "What happened in Ukraine is not only a threat to European security, it is related with human values and general security. It's needed international unity to end the violence. We must try to convince Russia that what happened will give no good results to anyone."