Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday that his country has closed their airspace to military and civilian planes carrying Russian troops to Syria, adding that they consulted with Russia before making the decision.
“We closed our airspace to Russian civilian and military aircraft carrying soldiers to Syria," the official said, as quoted by the Turkish state-owned TRT broadcaster. "We gave them a three month permission which expired in April. Our president has communicated this decision to President Putin.”
Konstantin Sivkov, a Russian military expert, told Rudaw’s Kamiz Shadadi from Russia on Tuesday that such a step is “hostile.”
“The closure of Turkish airspace for Russian planes, both military and civilian, flying to Syria is an unfriendly step by Turkey. It is even a hostile step by Turkey. With this step, Turkey is trying to encircle the Russian military bases in Khmeimim and Latakia as much as possible,” he said.
“Of course, in these circumstances there are opportunities for Russia to open a corridor with Iran and Iraq and provide the technical equipment of our cargoes in that region. But this corridor makes our way longer and harder,” he added.
Russia is the main backer of the Syrian regime, helping President Bashar al-Assad to remain in power despite a nationwide uprising in 2011 and civil war.
The Russian military expert added that Ankara’s decision is also “ruthless.”
Russia temporarily cut ties with Turkey in 2015 after a Russian warplane was taken down by Turkish air forces near the Syrian border.
Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, and the war continues.
Ankara enjoys good relations with Russia and Ukraine, and acts as a mediator between both countries to end the ongoing conflict.
Turkey backs militia groups in Syria which have been fighting Russia-backed regime forces for years.
