The German Foreign Minister Zigmar Gabriel explains the EU's restrained reaction by a concern of rapprochement of Turkey and Moscow. There is a common interest to prevent the further movement of Turkey to the east, said Gabriel. That is why it is necessary to de-escalate the conflict, reports DW.

Gabriel recalled that even in the era of military dictatorship in Turkey no one attempted to challenge the country's membership in NATO. The goal was the same, not to let Turkey move in the wrong direction, the minister stressed.