President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkiye would be the ideal venue for planned peace discussions between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, as he welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Ankara on Tuesday; reads a Daily Sabah post.
At a joint news conference, Erdogan reaffirmed Turkiye’s commitment to peace, offering full support to ensure negotiations lead to a lasting resolution. "Given our active diplomacy over the past three years, Turkiye remains the ideal host for talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States," he said.
Reiterating Ankara’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, Erdogan recalled Turkiye’s role in hosting direct negotiations in March 2022 and initiating the Black Sea grain deal. He said Turkiye had consistently acted as a reliable mediator and welcomed recent efforts—led by former U.S. President Donald Trump—to broker peace, aligning with Ankara’s longstanding policy.
Erdogan also highlighted discussions on strengthening trade ties and praised Zelenskyy’s efforts to defend the rights of Crimean Tatars.
Zelenskyy, in turn, expressed gratitude for Turkiye’s steadfast stance on Ukraine’s sovereignty and stressed the need for Ukraine and Europe to be included in any peace discussions. He also underscored joint efforts with Turkiye to prevent hunger from being used as a weapon, noting the importance of aiding Syria.
Regarding Ukrainian children orphaned by the war, Zelenskyy acknowledged the humanitarian project led by First Lady Olena Zelenska and Emine Erdogan, thanking Turkiye for its support.
The Ukrainian president also announced he had postponed his planned visit to Saudi Arabia until March 10, emphasizing that no talks should take place without Ukraine's involvement.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
