Turkey deputy PM says believes ties with Russia will be mended shortly

Turkey's ruling Ak Party (AKP) Deputy Chairman responsible for Economic Affairs Numan Kurtulmus talks to foreign media in Ankara January 21, 2014. Picture taken January 21. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

ANKARA (Reuters) - Russia and Turkey do not have insurmountable problems, Turkey's deputy prime minister said on Monday, adding he thinks ties with Russia will be fixed in a "short while".

Numan Kurtulmus, a deputy prime minister and the government spokesman, also told a news conference that neither country could afford to sacrifice its relationship with the other.