President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara for a crucial discussion. The talks focused on the latest developments in Ukraine, as well as other regional and global issues.
The meeting lasted approximately three hours, after which both leaders made statements. Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye’s policies regarding the Russia-Ukraine War align with those of Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Zelensky stated that Türkiye should be included in the negotiation table. As Russian and U.S. delegations convened in Saudi Arabia, Türkiye hosted a significant meeting between Erdoğan and Zelensky.
During the three-hour meeting, President Erdoğan reiterated that Türkiye’s stance on the war aligns with the policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump. He also underscored that Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are non-negotiable.
Zelensky, on the other hand, expressed surprise over the Saudi Arabia discussions, stating that Ukraine had no prior knowledge of the meeting. He also confirmed that he would not be traveling to Saudi Arabia.
Erdoğan: Türkiye Is Willing to Support War Recovery Efforts
During the press conference, President Erdoğan highlighted key points:
- He reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting the negotiation process for a lasting peace.
- “This war must come to an end,” Erdoğan stated, adding that Türkiye will continue efforts to implement measures ensuring secure commercial navigation in the Black Sea. He emphasized that such arrangements could serve as confidence-building steps in the negotiation process.
- The two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral trade relations, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing war. Erdoğan expressed Türkiye’s determination to achieve the $10 billion trade target with Ukraine.
- He also stated that Turkish companies are eager to support Ukraine in post-war reconstruction and recovery efforts.
Zelensky: Saudi Arabia Visit Set for March 10
Ukrainian President Zelensky made the following key remarks:
- “If negotiations are urgent, Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe must be part of the discussion, and of course, Türkiye as well,” he emphasized.
- “Relations between our two countries continue to progress. We are constantly working with Türkiye and other partners to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon against millions of people in the Middle East and Africa.”
- Zelensky also announced the official opening of the Ukrainian Embassy in Türkiye, hoping it would symbolize a positive step forward.
- “We want this war to end more than anyone. It must happen under urgent conditions. A discussion on ending the war in Ukraine cannot take place without Ukraine.”
- “We are completely open and transparent. I will not be traveling to Saudi Arabia, as I do not want to create a misleading image. However, we have held discussions with Saudi Arabia, and the visit has now been scheduled for March 10. As for the U.S., we are expecting them in Kyiv.”
Source: Bloomberght/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök