Macron calls on Erdogan to confront any attempt to "circulate" sanctions against Moscow

French President Emmanuel Macron stressed, Thursday, to his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the need to confront any attempt to "circumvent" the sanctions against Russia.

After a meeting between officials on the sidelines of the first meeting of the "European Political Group" in Prague, the Elysee Palace indicated that Macron "stressed the importance of European sanctions regimes to put an end to the Russian escalation and called for confronting any strategy of circumvention."

Turkey, which is highly dependent on Russian gas and oil, refused to join Western sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, while relentlessly offering its mediation between Moscow and Kiev.

The country, which is a favorite destination for Russian citizens, has witnessed the arrival of thousands of them since the beginning of the war, including tourists, refugees and businessmen who, as of May, became the first real estate owners in Turkey.

Macron also expressed his "concern" about the situation in the Aegean, which is witnessing recurring tensions between Greece and Turkey.

The Elysee said that the French president "called for the resumption of dialogue between the parties to avoid escalation and preserve respect for international law."

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