The European Union will not invite Russia to take part in an international donor conference to support the people in Türkiye and Syria affected by the recent devastating earthquakes, the European Commission said in a statement.
The conference will be held on March 20 in Brussels.
"Co-hosted by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and by Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, for the Swedish Presidency of the Council, and organised in coordination with the Turkish authorities, the Donors' Conference will be open to EU Member States, candidate countries and potential candidates, neighbouring and partner countries, G20 members - except for Russia - Member States of the Gulf Cooperation, as well as the UN, international organisations, humanitarian actors and international and European financial institutions," the statement reads.
It was noted that the EU and its member states intend to make a significant pledge for further relief, recovery, and reconstruction in Türkiye and further relief, recovery, and rehabilitation in Syria.