Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Istanbul on Friday for discussions concerning the trajectory of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the lapsed Black Sea grain arrangement, and heightened collaboration in the defense industry as confirmed by both parties. According to Erdogan, Turkey is ready to host a summit between Ukraine and Russia to end the war.
The Turkish Presidency stated that the meeting commenced approximately at 1615 GMT, following Zelenskyy's visit to a shipyard near Istanbul for an inspection of two corvettes under construction for Ukraine's navy.
While Turkey, a NATO member, has affirmed its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, it also maintains amicable ties with Russia, engaging regularly with both sides in the conflict. Notably, Turkey played a pivotal role as a facilitator of the Black Sea agreement, which ended a de facto Russian blockade of Ukrainian grain exports.
Zelenskyy's visit to Istanbul precedes an anticipated trip by Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled to follow the Russian elections on March 15-17, as announced by the Kremlin.
While Turkey, a NATO member, has affirmed its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, it also maintains amicable ties with Russia, engaging regularly with both sides in the conflict. Notably, Turkey played a pivotal role as a facilitator of the Black Sea agreement, which ended a de facto Russian blockade of Ukrainian grain exports.
Zelenskyy's visit to Istanbul precedes an anticipated trip by Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled to follow the Russian elections on March 15-17, as announced by the Kremlin.
According to Zelenskyy's office, the agenda with Erdoğan encompassed a peace strategy aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia, the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war detained by Moscow, and bilateral defense industry cooperation.
In his initial remarks at the meeting, Zelenskyy underscored the importance of Ankara and Kyiv collaborating to ensure food security and maritime safety in the Black Sea. He further expressed Ukraine's desire for bolstered defense ties with Turkey and sought assistance in securing the release of detainees.
""We are interested in strengthening bilateral cooperation and co-production with Turkish defense companies," Zelenskyy emphasized.
A Turkish diplomatic source indicated that Ankara would reiterate its commitment to seeking a resolution to the conflict through negotiations, while reaffirming staunch support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. Erdogan said after talks with Zelenskyy that Turkey was ready to host a summit between Ukraine and Russia to end the war.
During a recent diplomacy forum in southern Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan suggested that it was time for Kyiv and Moscow to initiate ceasefire discussions. However, he stressed that such talks must not imply recognition of Russia's occupation.
Responding to queries at the forum regarding Ukraine's ability to continue fighting without full Western support, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mykola Tochytskyi emphasized that only a complete Russian withdrawal would halt the hostilities, even if Ukraine did not receive "100% support" from Western allies. "We will continue to fight because - it may be pathetic but it's a reality - in any case Russia will kill each Ukrainian, so better to die on the battlefield than in a Russian prison," Zelenskyy said. Talks on grain deal
Additionally, the Turkish source indicated that among the topics discussed during the Zelenskyy meeting was the navigational safety of commercial vessels between Russia and Ukraine, particularly following the cessation of the Black Sea Initiative last July. This agreement, facilitated by Turkey and the United Nations, had enabled Ukraine to securely export grain from its Black Sea ports. While Turkey has advocated for its reinstatement, Russia has expressed disinterest, citing dissatisfaction with the terms, which it claims neglected its own food and fuel exports. Turkey, holding control over the passage to the Black Sea, has extended military assistance to Kyiv while opposing Western sanctions against Russia. As part of its diplomatic balancing, Ankara has offered mediation between the conflicting parties and proposed hosting peace negotiations, all while fostering defense industry ties with Ukraine and strengthening energy collaboration with Russia. Furthermore, Turkey has committed to participating in the post-war reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.
In his initial remarks at the meeting, Zelenskyy underscored the importance of Ankara and Kyiv collaborating to ensure food security and maritime safety in the Black Sea. He further expressed Ukraine's desire for bolstered defense ties with Turkey and sought assistance in securing the release of detainees.
""We are interested in strengthening bilateral cooperation and co-production with Turkish defense companies," Zelenskyy emphasized.
A Turkish diplomatic source indicated that Ankara would reiterate its commitment to seeking a resolution to the conflict through negotiations, while reaffirming staunch support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. Erdogan said after talks with Zelenskyy that Turkey was ready to host a summit between Ukraine and Russia to end the war.
During a recent diplomacy forum in southern Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan suggested that it was time for Kyiv and Moscow to initiate ceasefire discussions. However, he stressed that such talks must not imply recognition of Russia's occupation.
Responding to queries at the forum regarding Ukraine's ability to continue fighting without full Western support, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mykola Tochytskyi emphasized that only a complete Russian withdrawal would halt the hostilities, even if Ukraine did not receive "100% support" from Western allies. "We will continue to fight because - it may be pathetic but it's a reality - in any case Russia will kill each Ukrainian, so better to die on the battlefield than in a Russian prison," Zelenskyy said. Talks on grain deal
Additionally, the Turkish source indicated that among the topics discussed during the Zelenskyy meeting was the navigational safety of commercial vessels between Russia and Ukraine, particularly following the cessation of the Black Sea Initiative last July. This agreement, facilitated by Turkey and the United Nations, had enabled Ukraine to securely export grain from its Black Sea ports. While Turkey has advocated for its reinstatement, Russia has expressed disinterest, citing dissatisfaction with the terms, which it claims neglected its own food and fuel exports. Turkey, holding control over the passage to the Black Sea, has extended military assistance to Kyiv while opposing Western sanctions against Russia. As part of its diplomatic balancing, Ankara has offered mediation between the conflicting parties and proposed hosting peace negotiations, all while fostering defense industry ties with Ukraine and strengthening energy collaboration with Russia. Furthermore, Turkey has committed to participating in the post-war reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.
Source: Reuters
More In Politics MORE...
