Turkey Loses Russian Tourists Due to Sanctions Joining Stance

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu condemned the statement made by the opposition's united candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who claimed that if victorious in the elections, his team would join the West's anti-Russian sanctions and prioritize strengthening relations with Western countries and NATO.

According to Çavuşoğlu, the European Union, the USA, or NATO will undoubtedly not compensate Turkey for its losses if the flow of Russian tourists to the republic decreases following Kılıçdaroğlu's statements. He stated, “In May, Russian tourists were supposed to come to Turkey, but they went to Dubai, Thailand, and Egypt. And this is due to Kılıçdaroğlu's statements. They are afraid they could be affected by anti-Russian sanctions,” the diplomat said, adding that Turkey collaborates closely with Russia in all sectors.

The chief diplomat of Turkey also questioned Kılıçdaroğlu's claims that Moscow is interfering in the presidential elections in the republic. Çavuşoğlu has demanded evidence from the opposition.