U.S.
President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry agreed that
all parties in Turkey should support the democratically-elected
government of Turkey while Kremlin expressed its grave concerns over the
recent developments.
“The President spoke tonight by phone with
Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the events in Turkey. The
President and Secretary agreed that all parties in Turkey should support
the democratically-elected Government of Turkey, show restraint, and
avoid any violence or bloodshed,” read the readout issued by the White
House early July 16.
In a phone call to Foreign Minister Mevlüt
Çavuşoğlu, Kerry emphasized “absolute support for Turkey’s civilian
government and democratic institutions”. The Secretary underscored that
the State Department will continue to focus on the safety and security
of U.S. citizens in Turkey.
The Kremlin said it was gravely concerned about events in Turkey, and that it had instructed officials to help Russian nationals in Turkey return home at the earliest opportunity.
Kremlin
spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that
President Vladimir Putin was being kept constantly updated on the
situation in Turkey, where the government has said a military coup
attempt is underway.
Peskov said events were moving too fast to fully understand what was happening, but he said Russia was concerned and wanted to see Turkey return to the path of stability and order, and for there to be a lawful outcome.
He said that, whoever was now in charge in Turkey, it was incumbent on them to ensure the safety of Russian nationals.
NATO’s
Jens Stoltenberg said in a written statement “I have just spoken to the
Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. I am following events in
Turkey closely and with concern. I call for calm and restraint, and full
respect for Turkey’s democratic institutions and its constitution.
Turkey is a valued NATO Ally.”
