Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has weighed in on the ongoing feud between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Turkish head of state is so far siding with Putin in the dispute.
In an ABC News interview that aired Wednesday, host George Stephanopoulos asked Biden if he thinks Putin is a “killer,” to which Biden replied, “I do.” Biden also said in the interview that he once told Putin, “I don’t think you have a soul.”
Erdogan said the “killer” comments were not suitable for a world leader.
“Mr. Biden’s statements about Mr. Putin are not fitting of a president, and a president coming out and using such remarks against the president of a country like Russia is truly unacceptable, not something that can be stomached,” Erdogan told reporters Friday.
Putin, for his part, dismissed Biden’s comments, saying Thursday, “I wish him good health.” Putin also suggested he and Biden have a live, publicly televised conversation.
Erdogan also defended Putin’s response to Biden.
“Putin has done what is necessary by giving a very clever and elegant response,” said Erdogan.
Turkey and Russia have a complicated but cordial relationship. They back opposite sides in the Syrian civil war, but have shown a willingness to negotiate on the issue. In 2017, Turkey purchased the S-400 missile defense system from Russia and has stuck to the sale despite opposition from the United States. Turkey and Russia also worked together to end the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan last year.
The Turkish government has weighed in on divisive issues in the United States before. Following the Jan. 6 storming of the US Capitol by supporters of then President Donald Trump, Ankara called for “moderation” and “common sense.”
Content retrieved from: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/03/erdogan-defends-putin-over-spat-biden.