Putin and Erdogan: Trump's decision on Jerusalem could revive tensions in the Middle East

ANKARA, (Patria) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Monday at a joint press conference that the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel could provoke a revival of tensions in the Middle East.

- Russia and Turkey believe that this decision does not help stabilize the situation in the Middle East; it destabilizes an already complex situation - Vladimir Putin stated during a meeting with his Turkish counterpart on Monday evening in Ankara.

Erdogan assessed that "Israel is adding fuel to the fire."

- In this process, Israel sees an opportunity to increase pressure and violence against Palestinians - added the Turkish president, clarifying that Putin and he have a similar approach to this issue.

During a brief visit to Egypt on Monday afternoon, Putin called for an immediate resumption of direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on all disputed issues, including the status of Jerusalem.

Earlier, Erdogan stated that with this recognition, the United States has become a participant in the bloodshed in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Erdogan again warned about Israeli actions towards Palestinians in Jerusalem and accused Israel of turning the holy city into a prison for Muslims and other believers.

- They will never be able to wash the blood from their hands. The struggle will not stop until an independent Palestinian state is created within the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Erdogan also added that the summit of Muslim world leaders on Wednesday in Istanbul will be a turning point in their actions following the decision of US President Donald Trump to unilaterally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.