Erdogan criticizes US decision on long-range missiles for Ukraine, calls for restraint

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan has expressed opposition to the U.S. allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russia. He stated this decision could escalate the conflict, urging both sides to show restraint. Ukraine recently used U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory, following new permissions from the Biden administration. This action coincided with Russia's President Vladimir Putin approving a policy that lowers the threshold for nuclear weapon use in response to conventional attacks. Erdogan emphasized that the U.S. move could prolong the war and provoke a stronger Russian response. While Turkey supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and has condemned the invasion, it also maintains important ties with Russia.