site.btaTurkish President Erdogan Says He Trusts Russia as Much as the West

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he trusts Russia as much as the West. Erdogan last night gave an interview to the American PBS television in New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly.

"I have no reason not to trust them. To the extent the West is reliable, Russia is equally reliable. For the last 50 years, we have been waiting at the doorstep of the EU, and, at this moment in time, I trust Russia just as much as I trust the West," Erdogan is quoted as saying through an interpreter. 

Ankara has continued maintaining close ties with both Russia and Ukraine during the 19-month war in Ukraine. 

"We have always been self-sufficient as a country. We have never needed the EU's contribution or support, we do not need it," Erdogan said, as quoted by Turkish state television TRT-Haber.

The Turkish President also commented on Sweden's NATO accession process, stressing that Sweden must keep its promises regarding the fight against terrorism.

"We still see terrorists moving through the streets of Stockholm," Erdogan said.