Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Putin slams Ukraine for using Turkish drones in the fight against pro-Russian separatists. Photo/REUTERS
Putin, according to a transcript of the phone call released by the Kremlin, said that Kiev aims to disrupt the peace agreement in eastern Ukraine, with provocative military action. “Including the use of the Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicle produced by Turkey,” Putin told Erdogan, as quoted by AFP, Saturday (4/12/2021).
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Ukraine’s military in October released footage of what it said was the first use of the Turkish-made TB2 Bayraktar drone against pro-Russian separatist groups in the east of the country. The conflict in the region has been going on since 2014.
Ukraine’s move was met with criticism from Russia as well as its Western ally Kiev.
Both Turkey and Israel recently sold drones in the former Soviet Union and they played a key role in Azerbaijan’s victory over Russia’s ally, Armenia, in last year’s Nagorno-Karabakh war.
The Kremlin said that during a phone call with Erdogan: “It should be emphasized for Kiev to abandon any attempt to forcibly influence the Donbass.”
Ankara, for its part, said Putin and Erdorgan only discussed various issues especially Syria, Libya and Ukraine.
Russia and Turkey have historically had complex relations, balancing regional rivalries with finding common ground in economic and strategic interests.
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