Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned U.S. President Joe Biden that his decision to allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to use long-range ATACMS missiles to strike deep into Russian territory is a dangerous move that will lead to an even stronger reaction from Moscow. Erdogan’s statements, delivered to RIA Novosti, indicated that the U.S. president had taken a step that could “fuel the war,” ensuring it would never end but only escalate further.
Erdogan emphasized that such actions by Biden would provoke a response from Russia, potentially worsening the already tense situation. The Turkish leader also reminded the world of Russia’s changes in nuclear doctrine, suggesting that such escalation could push the region and the world to the brink of a new large-scale war.
Furthermore, Erdogan called for both Russia and Ukraine to focus on peace, urging them to remain calm and avoid falling into provocations. He warned that even a small mistake could ignite the situation and lead to a disastrous outcome.
Erdogan also criticized Washington’s decision to allow Ukraine to carry out missile strikes on Russian soil, calling it an unwise step that would only fuel the conflict. He stated that Biden’s actions were aimed at perpetuating the war and preventing any resolution, thus further entrenching the conflict.
On November 17, The New York Times reported, citing sources, that President Biden had approved the use of ATACMS missiles by Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia, with initial targets including Russian forces in the Kursk region and alleged North Korean military personnel present in the area.
In response to the U.S. decision, the Kremlin accused Washington of seeking to “stir the fire” and provoke further tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict.
On November 19, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the ATACMS missile had been used to attack the Bryansk region in Russia, a report later corroborated by two anonymous American officials.
Turkey, under Erdogan’s leadership, continues to express deep concern over these developments, urging all parties involved to take concrete steps toward peace and avoid actions that would lead to further escalation. Erdogan also cautioned that any misstep could add fuel to the fire, which could lead to a dangerous expansion of the conflict.
