Turkish president urges NATO to pay attention to Russia’s nuclear doctrine revision

ISTANBUL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday urged NATO to pay attention to Russia's recent revisions to its nuclear doctrine.

"We cannot proclaim that there is a positive aspect to a war in which nuclear weapons are utilized ... NATO officials should deliberate on this step taken by Russia and review it," Erdogan told a press conference at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"The missiles used by Ukraine recently show where this situation has reached and will reach," Erdogan said, adding that "these are not positive developments."

“I think Russia's statement is first and foremost a precautionary measure against conventional weapons, against a behavior directed against itself,” he added.

"Russia has the power and the measures to protect itself. Similarly, as a NATO country, we have to protect ourselves and take steps to protect ourselves."

The new doctrine says Russia could consider using nuclear weapons if it was subject to a conventional missile attack supported by a nuclear power. The update was proposed in September and signed into law on Tuesday, the 1,000th day of the war with Ukraine.

The change comes after President Joe Biden allowed Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike deep into Russia.

Türkiye has will, capability to facilitate talks

Erdogan expressed Türkiye’s position as a neighbor to both Ukraine and Russia, underscoring the country’s commitment to maintaining relations with both of them.

Underlining that the "historical opportunity" presented by the Istanbul agreement in the early months of the war was squandered, Erdogan said this caused to nearly half a million deaths, and an energy and a food crisis affecting all humanity.

Urging all parties to take steps toward ending the conflict, Erdogan also reaffirmed Türkiye’s readiness to mediate between the two sides. “Türkiye, since the first day of the war, remains prepared to assume any facilitating role between the parties. We have the will and the capability to do so,” he said.

"I hope we can quickly achieve lasting cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia, securing peace the world is waiting for."

Erdogan also addressed Türkiye’s position regarding partnership offer from the BRICS group. He said Türkiye is actively evaluating the proposal and provide the necessary response when it comes to "a certain point."

President Erdogan participated in the G20 leaders' summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he met leaders including Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italy's Prime MInister Giorgia Meloni, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Spanish Premier Pedro Sanchez and Australian Premier Anthony Albanese.

Erdogan also had brief talks with US counterpart Joe Biden, China's President Xi Jinping, Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Vietnam's Pham Minh Chinh, and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.