Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed his concerns to Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan regarding the continuing supply of weapons to Ukraine, calling it a “destructive” course of action. In a phone call between the two ministers, Lavrov emphasized that such steps could lead to negative consequences, as reported by the Russian foreign ministry.
Turkey, which shares a maritime border with both Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea, has maintained a delicate balance in its diplomatic ties with both countries since the beginning of the conflict. While trying to remain as neutral as possible, Turkey has provided armament to Ukraine, such as the Bayraktar TB-2 combat drones. Developed by the Turkish defense industry, these drones have gained significant attention for their operational effectiveness, equipped with advanced surveillance and reconnaissance systems.
Turkey also supplied Ukraine with cold-war era cluster bombs known as dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs) in November 2022. These munitions are designed to deliver both an initial impact on a target and subsequent fragmentation effects, making them valuable assets in military operations.
During the phone call, Lavrov and Fidan reiterated the importance of strengthening trust between Russia and Turkey. They emphasized the need to preserve and strengthen the trust-based nature of their relations based on the agreements between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The discussion also touched on the return of commanders from Ukraine’s Azov nationalist battalion, which is outlawed as a terrorist organization in Russia. However, no specific details were provided about the nature of this discussion.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen heavy fighting in multiple directions, with intensified Russian aerial assaults. In a separate report, it was revealed that Poland secretly handed over a dozen Mi-24 attack helicopters to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Defense Minister assured that cluster bombs would not be used in Russia, but only to de-occupy Ukraine.
This phone call between Lavrov and Fidan highlights the complexities and tensions surrounding the conflict in Ukraine, as different countries navigate their relationships with Russia and Ukraine. The supply of weapons continues to be a contentious issue, with Russia expressing its concerns about the negative consequences it may have.