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Whereas Erdogan supplied himself as a mediator, Zelensky indicated that Russia wouldn’t be invited to the primary assembly.
Turkey is able to host a summit between Ukraine and Russia to finish the struggle, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated after talks along with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul.
Talking after their assembly on Friday, Erdogan, who has balanced relations with Moscow and Kiev throughout the two-year struggle, spoke of “the alternatives that Turkey can present with its stance”.
“Whereas we’ll proceed our solidarity with Ukraine, we’ll proceed our work to finish the struggle with a simply peace based mostly on dialogue,” he stated.
Zelensky stated the talks had been “honest and fruitful”, although he prevented mentioning the proposed peace summit in a press release launched on Thursday after the assembly.
Dialogue between Ukraine and Turkey is all the time sincere and fruitful. At present, we’ve reached agreements on joint protection initiatives on the authorities degree and between corporations.
I met representatives of the Turkish protection business. We’re prepared to maneuver ahead shortly… pic.twitter.com/mDpYDDEnwi
– Volodymyr Zelensky / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) 8 March 2024
Nevertheless, the Ukrainian chief, who’s on a mission to get extra struggle materials and weapons from allies to cease his enemy's advance on the japanese entrance, was quoted by Reuters information company as saying that Russia was not invited to the primary assembly. Will go. The summit is scheduled to be held in Switzerland.
Zelensky thanked Erdogan for his efforts to barter the discharge of Ukrainian prisoners “held in Russian prisons and camps in extraordinarily harsh and inhumane circumstances.”
I’m grateful to the President @RTErdogan For his efforts to rescue our residents from Russian captivity. Due to Turkiye's mediation, we’ve achieved essential humanitarian outcomes. Now we’re relying on additional efforts.
At present, I offered a listing of our Ukrainian residents,… pic.twitter.com/qFBW7AEDXh
– Volodymyr Zelensky / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) 8 March 2024
Erdogan, who reiterated Turkey's assist for Ukraine's “territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence”, stated he and Zelensky had mentioned port safety, safety within the Black Sea, prisoner exchanges and meals safety.
Turkey's strategic place on the Black Sea and its management of the Bosphorus Strait give it a novel army, political and financial function within the battle.
Shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Turkey hosted failed ceasefire talks between Kiev and Moscow.
Turkish International Minister Hakan Fidan stated this month, “Either side have now reached the bounds of what they will obtain by way of struggle.”
“We expect now could be the time to start negotiations towards a ceasefire.”
In July 2022, Ankara signed a Black Sea grain cope with the United Nations, probably the most vital diplomatic settlement between Kiev and Moscow up to now. However Moscow deserted the initiative a yr later, complaining that the phrases have been unfair.
Kiev has since used an alternate transport route adjoining to the shoreline to keep away from disputed worldwide waters.
The Erdogan-Zelensky assembly comes per week after Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov met his Turkish counterpart Fidan at a diplomatic discussion board in Antalya.
Turkish and Russian media quoted diplomatic sources as saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to go to Turkey final month, however postponed the journey. The Kremlin stated it was rescheduling the go to.