OREANDA-NEWS. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that the republic will not abandon Russia or Ukraine because of the conflict between the two countries. It is reported by RIA Novosti.

According to him, Turkey cannot abandon Russia or Ukraine, since Ankara has economic, military and political relations with these countries.

“If you say: “Refuse Ukraine,” we cannot refuse, because the interests of our country are very advanced here. If you say: “Give up Russia”, we cannot give it up either, because we have really advanced relations with it now,” the Turkish president said.

Earlier, Erdogan said that Ankara does not agree with Russia's decision to recognize the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. According to him, the recognition of the republics of Donbass is contrary to the Minsk agreements.

“This decision is a clear violation of the political unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We consider this decision of Russia unacceptable. We reiterate our appeal to the parties to respect common sense and international law,” the Turkish leader stressed.

Erdogan made the corresponding statement in an interview with reporters, while on board the aircraft following from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Senegal.

The day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, under which he instructed the Russian Ministry of Defense to ensure the maintenance of peace on their territory.