Russia to lift sanctions on Turkey 'gradually': PM

By Emre Gurkan Abay

ANKARA (AA) - Russia will remove the economic sanctions against Turkey "on a gradual basis," Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday.

Speaking at a meeting of the cabinet of ministers in Moscow, Medvedev said economic sanctions against Turkey would be lifted in accordance with the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Medvedev said sanctions are to be lifted "gradually" in order to prevent any harm against Russian producers.

Russia would also demand guarantees by the Turkish government in order to provide safety for Russian tourists, Medvedev said.

On Wednesday, Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call, during which they agreed to normalize relations between their countries after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet that violated its airspace last November.

*Anadolu Agency Correspondent Fatih Erkan Dogan contributed to this report from Ankara.