Russian Foreign Ministry: Turkey Coup Bid Increases Threat to Regional Stability
Russia's foreign ministry warned Saturday that the coup attempt in Turkey increases the threat to stability in the region.
"Moscow is most concerned at the latest events in Turkey," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The flare-up of the domestic political situation against the backdrop of the existing terrorist threats in this country and the armed conflict in the region brings a heightened risk to international and regional stability."
Russia called on Turkey's "authorities and people to resolve the problems that have arisen without violence, with respect for constitutional order."
Moscow confirmed its "readiness to work constructively with the legally elected leadership of Turkey in the interest of promoting bilateral relations," saying this particularly applied to "fighting the threat of terrorism."
Late on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a joint news conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Turkey to avoid "bloodshed," saying its problems needed to be resolved "in accordance with the constitution."
During the coup attempt, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow was "deeply concerned about the news coming from Turkey," adding that President Vladimir Putin was being constantly informed.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday said in televised comments that the coup bid showed that "in Turkish society and the army there are very powerful and deep rifts which sparked these events."
"Naturally it's necessary that constitutional rule is restored in this country that neighbours ours, so that all the rights and freedoms enshrined in their legislation are observed," the prime minister said.
Russia and Turkey this month moved to mend ties as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a letter to Putin apologizing for downing a Russian warplane on the Syrian border last year and Russia lifted a ban on package tours to Turkey.
Source: Agence France Presse
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