Turkey and Russia falling out as tensions rise
Turkey detained four Russian ships previously at the Black Sea, citing maritime safety violations. The move came after Russia held five Turkish ships at Novorossiysk.
According to information posted on the website of Port State Control for the Black Sea, Turkey already released three of the four Russian ships after it found them violating maritime safety regulations. The detainment came after Russia previously held Turkish ships during inspections. Information came from two port officials who refused to be identified, according to Bloomberg. Russia released the vessels already.
The remaining Russian ship at the port of Samsung may leave around Monday. Three of the ships left the area already after they repaired fire hoses, lifeguard boats or radios that reportedly went against safety rules. Tensions have been rising between the two countries as Russia's warplane went down over Syria. Turkey shot down the jet after it violated the region's airspace.
Russia still maintains that it did not cross the border. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the act was a "stab in the back." The president further claimed that Turkey “will regret again and again what they’ve done.” In the previous week, Russia prohibited Turkish goods from nectarines to shallots.
The Turkish government, on the other hand, has been under fire from opposition after claiming that it can cope by with Russian supplies since Turkish people are already familiar with suffering. According to opposition, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan should heat his palace with dung in place of gas because of his statement.
“As you know, we have not lived with natural gas our whole lives. We all know how long it has been since we began using natural gas. … Moreover we will not be doomed if we cannot acquire Russian gas,” Turkish daily Today's Zaman quoted the president, via RT. Erdogan further claimed that Turkey can acquire natural gas from other nations.
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