German Foreign Ministry: Turkey and Russia not alternative to NATO

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Tuesday that the reconciliation between Turkey and Russia following the jet crisis is an important step and will not affect Turkey's NATO membership.

Speaking to the Bild Daily, Steinmeier noted that the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries was a positive development and added that it does not pose a threat to Turkey's relations with NATO that "Russia can offer Turkey an alternative to the NATO security partnership."