Erdogan says provocative policies by the West against Russia not correct

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday he did not think the "provocative" policies that Western countries follow towards Russia were correct, after the European Union proposed a price cap on Russian gas.

“I can clearly say that I do not think the attitude of the West is correct. Because there is this West which follows a policy based on provocation," Erdogan said, speaking at a news conference with the Serbian president in Belgrade and added that “whatever arms the West is sending to Ukraine is crap.”

Erdogan said he could not say the winner of the war was either Russia or Ukraine and said it didn't look like to end anytime soon.

"I also say to those who underestimate Russia, you are doing wrong. Russia is not a country to be taken lightly," he said.

The European Union earlier on Wednesday proposed a price cap on Russian gas, raising the risk of rationing in some of the world's richest countries this winter.

"We will propose a price cap on Russian gas... We must cut Russia's revenues which Putin uses to finance this atrocious war in Ukraine," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters.

EU energy ministers are due to hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss how to tackle the energy crisis.

The Commission will also put forward other measures including a mandatory cut in electricity use during peak hours, and a cap on the revenues of energy generated from other sources.

"Will there be any political decisions that contradict the contracts? Yes, we just won't fulfill them. We will not supply anything at all if it contradicts our interests," Putin said.