Erdogan: Dollar's getting in the way.

Turkey's President Recep Tayip Erdogan named the US dollar an obstacle to global trade, at the time his country's economy is struggling with United States sanctions.

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The inflation rate in Turkey has risen to nearly 18%, while weakening the lira has led to significant price increases for consumers.

The United States has imposed sanctions on several Turkish Government officials last month, trying to influence the release of an American pastor, who is being held in prison in Turkey.

Russia, which is also struggling with Western sanctions, has been trying to leave the dollar in international trade deals over the past few weeks.

“We need to drop the dollar as a tool for joint agreements and seek other options”, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said.

International contracts are often made in US dollars due to currency stability.