Erdogan and Putin discuss Middle East tensions

On April 3, 2026, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East. President Erdogan stated that Turkey is actively engaging with all parties to prevent further escalation of the conflict, which he noted began on February 28. In his public remarks, Erdogan criticized Israel, labeling the ongoing conflict as an illegal war and accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the violence for political survival. Erdogan emphasized that Turkey does not approve of attacks on Iran, nor does it support Iranian retaliatory strikes against regional countries. He further warned that attacks on critical infrastructure, such as energy and transport, increase the risk of a wider regional conflagration. The Turkish leader underscored that Turkey is pursuing a balanced and rational policy to manage the crisis without becoming involved. Ankara reiterated its commitment to diplomatic efforts, aiming to serve as a voice for regional stability amidst the ongoing instability.