Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan believes it is necessary to remain calm and will maintain relations with both countries amid continuing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. He said this after Moscow recognized the sovereignty of the so-called "DPR" and "LPR," the Daily Sabah reported.

Thus, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Erdogan said that Turkey is cooperating with both Russia and Ukraine, will not end relations and has no plans to impose sanctions against Moscow.

"We have political, military and economic relations with Russia. It's the same with Ukraine. We cannot give it up, if you ask me, because our country has high interests in this regard," Erdogan said.

He noted that it is necessary to "make careful calculations to figure out the pros and cons of actions" to be taken against Russia, noting that the steps must be taken "delicately," the newspaper writes.

The Turkish president also noted that in a recent phone conversation with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, he outlined Turkey's position on Ukraine's territorial integrity and that Turkey would not accept any actions that violate the Minsk agreements.

"I told him that we are ready to take responsibility for ensuring that the crisis is resolved through diplomacy and dialogue," he said, adding that ongoing tensions pose a threat to security in the Black Sea.

"We hope that our Black Sea neighbors Russia and Ukraine will immediately return to the negotiating table," he added.

In his view, Turkey has already sided with Ukraine over Russia's annexation of Crimea and Putin's recent recognition of the so-called "republics," rejecting it for violating Ukraine's territorial integrity.