President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Photo:
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his unwavering support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. During the meeting, they discussed important issues regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia, as well as regional and global challenges.
“President Erdoğan noted Ukraine’s efforts to bring our people home. He especially appreciated the return of Crimean Tatars and thanked us for these efforts. I assured President Erdoğan that our team will continue this work,” Zelensky wrote.
“We are preparing to hold a conference in Turkey dedicated to food security and freedom of navigation as part of the implementation of the peace summit decisions.”
The Communications Directorate of the Turkish Presidency reported that the meeting discussed the course of the war between Ukraine and Russia. Erdoğan stated that Turkey continues its efforts to end the war through the achievement of a just peace and has begun work on reactivating the Black Sea Grain Initiative. He also noted that Turkey is ready for any initiatives, including mediation, to create a foundation for peace.
The meeting in Washington was also attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Turkish National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Head of the National Intelligence Organization of Turkey İbrahim Kalın, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak.
Turkey actively offers mediation services in negotiations between Ukraine and Russia and provides diplomatic support. Erdoğan proposed organizing a meeting between Zelensky and the illegitimate president of Russia Vladimir Putin, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, as early as November 2021, before the full-scale invasion. Turkey was one of the parties to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, created for the maritime export of Ukrainian grain, which Russia blocked in 2023.
Thus, Turkey’s support remains an important element of international assistance to Ukraine amid the ongoing war and the challenges it faces.
