Erdogan comments on Putin's speech: Why didn't Europe remember it had a problem with gas earlier?

The two presidents agree that a difficult winter is ahead of us

Foto: Tanjug/Strahinja Aćimović, Shutterstock

We have purused a policy of balance between Russia and Ukraine, and we will continue to strive for that. However, there are certain countries whose stance we do not agree with, Turkish President Recep Erdogan said today in Belgrade.

He was answering questions from journalists who wanted him to comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin's speech this morning, regarding the price of gas.

According to him, the situation is such that Russia has used its trump card, and Europe is in trouble. However, he insists that this could have been taken care of earlier. Additionally, Erdogan believes that a diplomatic solution will be found.

"Russia has stopped supplying gas, prices have gone up, and now everyone is looking for alternatives. Why didn't you think about it earlier? Russia obviously had an ace up its sleeve," said Erdogan.

A cold, and then a polar winter

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said earlier that he discussed with his Turkish counterpart the possibility of Turkey helping with electricity supplies.

"This winter will be very cold for all of us, and if you listened carefully to President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the next one will be polar for the whole of Europe," Vucic stressed.

During a joint press conference with Erdogan Vucic was asked how he interprets this morning's speech by the president of Russia, who warned that a disaster awaits Europe and the world, and how it could affect our country. Vucic replied that a cold winter awaits us all.

"I couldn't see all of Putin's speech, but I would define it as follows. This winter will be very cold for all of us, and if you listened carefully, the next one will be polar for all of Europe," he underlined.

Vucic also said that it seems to him that no one wants to find a solution for the Ukrainian war.

"I'm afraid that everyone is expecting the defeat of the other side, not a compromise. If you really think you will easily defeat Russia militarily... What's left for us to do is prepare well for a cold and polar winter," said Vucic.

(Telegraf Biznis)