Photo: president.gov.ua
During an official visit to Turkey, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv seeks peace, but only if Ukraine is provided with international security guarantees. He said this during the opening of the new building of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ankara, Anadolu Agency reports.
Security guarantees and peace negotiations
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is ready to discuss a peaceful settlement of the conflict, but only with the support of the United States, the European Union and Turkey as key security guarantors.
“We want peace, but the end of the war must be based on clear security guarantees from the United States, the European Union and Turkey,” Zelenskyy said.
He also stressed that the issue of Ukraine’s territorial integrity is inviolable and will be the main topic of his talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey’s role in the war and the exchange of prisoners
Zelenskyy noted Ankara’s mediation role in attempts to peacefully resolve the conflict, as well as in the release of Ukrainian prisoners.
“Turkey has helped us bring our people back, and we appreciate it. Food security is also an important issue facing the world, and we are grateful to Ankara for its efforts in creating a grain corridor,” the President of Ukraine said.
Ukraine does not recognise the annexation of its territories
Speaking to journalists and members of the public at the new Ukrainian embassy building, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine will never recognise the annexation of its territories by Russia.
“We cannot act contrary to the Constitution of Ukraine. We will never, ever recognise the temporarily occupied territories as part of Russia. They are part of Ukraine,” the President stressed.
Zelenskyy noted that Kyiv prefers a diplomatic settlement of the conflict to avoid further losses among Ukrainians.
“We don’t want to lose our people. People are our greatest asset,” he added.
Opening of the new Embassy of Ukraine in Turkey
The President called the opening of the new building of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ankara a “symbolic event”, as the ceremony was attended by representatives of the Crimean Tatar community.
The new complex is being put at the disposal of Nariman Celal, who has been appointed Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey. Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine recognises Crimean Tatars as an indigenous people and will continue to fight for their rights.
