The Russian Navy will hold two exercises in the eastern Mediterranean, where the confrontation between Turkey and Greece will take place.

Two exercises to the east of the Mediterranean Navy will take place on September 8-22 and September 17-25, Turkey's navy September 3 announcement on its website.

Russian naval spokesman Igor Dygalo did not respond to a request for comment.

Igor Korotchenko, director of the Center for Analysis of Global Arms Trade in Moscow, said that Russia wants to show off its strength against NATO in upcoming exercises, rather than show support for Turkey.

"Russia has strong economic and defense ties with Turkey, but it is our policy to avoid backing any of the parties in this dispute," Korotchenko said.

Turkey and NATO are disagreeing over the purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense missile system.

"Those who came thousands of kilometers ago are trying to bully, claim rights and play the role of guardian angel," Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar wrote on Twitter on September 3, referring to France.

Turkey's oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean caused tension with Greece and Cyprus, stemming from a conflict of interpretation of maritime boundaries.

Tensions escalated this week after the US eased its decades-long arms embargo against Cyprus.

Turkish forces occupied one-third of the area of Cyprus in 1974 after a coup sought to unify the island with Greece.

The Aegean Sea lies between Greece and Turkey.