(Bloomberg) -- Turkey is ready to mediate between Ukraine and Russia to avert an escalation over the massing of Russian troops on the border of the east European nation, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
The offer followed a warning from President Joe Biden that the U.S. and its allies would take “strong” measures in response to any Russian attack on Ukraine.
Biden Told Putin He'd Send Ukraine More Weapons If It's Attacked
Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed NATO's effort to expand relations with Ukraine for the rising tensions. Moscow wants binding guarantees that the U.S.-led security alliance won't take in new members to the east or station offensive weapons close to it's territories.
Turkey itself has drawn Russia's ire by selling Ukraine more armed drones than previously disclosed. Still, Erdogan believes his friendly ties with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy place Turkey in a unique position to act as a go-between.
Ukraine Angers Russia by Buying Turkish Drones and Wants More
“We are ready to give our best support to reduce the tension between Russia and Ukraine that has been rising in recent weeks and to establish a dialog channel,” Erdogan told reporters during a visit to Qatar Tuesday. “With the consent of both parties, we can offer facilitation, mediation or support in any format desired.”
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