Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Israel:

Here, it is hoped that Israel adopts a foreign policy based on peace, respect and cooperation, one that serves both its own interests and those of the region.

Otherwise, Israel will not only become increasingly isolated, but it will also pay the price for this together with the region.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Israel:

As our President has stated several times, Türkiye is not a state that will fall for cheap provocations.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

The Mecca alliance is truly at a very good stage. There is a very strong will that has been demonstrated, and we are working with all our strength to ensure that this will is put into action.

At the moment, steps are being taken toward institutionalization.

In particular, the detailed work on establishing the secretariat mentioned in the agreement and setting up a related military headquarters is almost complete.

📸 Iranian women operators of FPV drones.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

You will see that the Mecca Alliance will be a very game-changing platform, God willing.

NEW: Anonymous French Defense Ministry source says France is already conducting covert conventional military operations against Russia.

When asked if Paris could retaliate militarily without announcing it, the source replied:

It's already happening.

Source: Le Monde

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

We do not accept Saudi Arabia being made a part of the ongoing conflict between Iran and America.

Saudi Arabia should be kept outside this equation because they themselves are not seeking to become involved in it.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

As members of the Mecca Alliance, we are closely monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia.

They may have military needs, particularly in certain technical areas, and we would have no issue in helping meet those needs.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

We see that there have been very serious attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and infrastructure.

When we look at our agreement, there is a responsibility of alliance between the countries toward one another. Our President is truly a leader who stands by his word.

We are in a state of solidarity on this issue, and we are especially evaluating and analyzing the situation.

11% of French gas stations report fuel shortages, driven by high oil prices from Middle East tensions.

Diesel hit ~€2.41/L, near record highs.

Grand Est (16%) and Pays de la Loire (15%) are worst hit.

The government says strategic stocks are adequate and the problem is logistics, not supply.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

There are some initiatives regarding ending the war in Ukraine, but at this stage it appears somewhat difficult for them to produce lasting results.

The efforts need to continue, and we should not lose hope.

NEW: U.S. diesel hit an all-time record of $6.49/gallon today, smashing the previous $5.82 record from June 2022.

Prices have nearly doubled year-over-year.

$3.71 → $6.49

California is worst at $8.04/gal.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Greece:

There is a Türkiye factor in Greek domestic politics. If someone wants to gain political points in domestic politics, the card they will play is the Türkiye card.

Politics does not work like this in Türkiye. We have bigger, more global issues to deal with.

Greek politics has one single issue.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Greece:

We are not in favor of tensions in the Aegean. We absolutely do not accept the militarization of islands that have a demilitarized status, and we have made very persistent efforts on this issue.

This region needs peace, not militarization.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

Both Ukraine and Russia are particularly targeting ports and all maritime activity.

We have now sent a proposal to both sides on this issue. We are working on it and waiting for their responses.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Greece:

Hopefully, some of the statements made by Greek politicians will remain only at the level of rhetoric.

But if they take this further and pursue irrational, adventurous steps, Türkiye’s seriousness and strength are known by everyone.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

There are some creative ideas for resolving the S-400 issue.

Hopefully, we will take positive steps on this matter.

France’s far-right National Rally (RN) leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella issued a rare condemnation of Russia, warning against Moscow using intimidation, threats and destabilization to influence France.

“We will never tolerate a foreign power, in this case, Russia, seeking to dictate, directly or indirectly, the policy of our country through intimidation, threats, destabilization or psychological pressure.”

The statement condemned Russia’s seizure of assets belonging to French retailer Auchan and Swiss company Nestlé, calling it:

“A hostile act against the interests of France and the nations of Europe.”

Le Pen and Bardella also referenced Russia-linked hybrid threats, including the August drone attack at Leipzig airport, and said:

“No provocation, clandestine operation, or destabilization effort could lead France to facilitate Russia’s achievement of its war aims in Ukraine.”

Source: POLITICO

Zelensky:

Our enemy is Russia — for Ukraine, for independence, for democracy. And if this is about democracy, about Europe, then it is a common enemy for Poland as well.

In such cases, we need unity not only with Poland, but with all of Europe.

First of all with Poland, because we are big neighbors and we must be friends.

Zelensky:

The war will end, I am sure people will return. I do not know what percentage will return.

It will depend on what I said: education, on parents who did not allow their children to forget Ukraine — in their hearts, in their minds, in everything.

And it will certainly depend on the rebuilding of the state, the conditions for doing business, and jobs.