Press statement from Erdoğan and Zelenskyy on ending the war: 'The meeting was a surprise to us'

Erdoğan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting at the Presidential Complex. Erdoğan and Zelenskyy made statements at a joint press conference following the meeting. 

AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan stated that US President Donald Trump's initiative is similar to Turkey's, saying, "Our country would be an ideal host for potential meetings. We have expressed Turkey's strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and independence. At the same time, we underscored that we will provide all kinds of support for the negotiation process to result in a lasting peace. This war must end now." 

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said, "I am sure that for Ukraine, our region, and Europe, all negotiations held to end the war—and I mean in a broad sense, including the EU, Turkey, and the UK—must involve all countries in the discussions and efforts, along with the US. If the negotiations are fair, and if Ukraine, the US, and Europe are at the table, guarantees will be developed with the participation of all countries. Turkey is among these countries. I am grateful to Mr. Erdoğan for this understanding." 

Zelenskyy added, "We were not invited to the US-Russia meeting. The meeting was a surprise to us. I think it was a surprise for many people. We learned this information from the media." 

Erdoğan's statements: 

"I convey my condolences to the Ukrainian people for those who lost their lives in the war, which is entering its 4th year. Zelenskyy's visit takes place at a time when there is potential for significant change in the fundamental dynamics of the war. With the understanding that there will be no winner in war and no loser in peace, we have made intense efforts to establish peace between the parties. In March 2022, we hosted direct negotiations between the two countries in Istanbul. We implemented the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Over the last 3 years, we have made direct initiatives at every level with Russia and Ukraine. There is a diplomatic initiative launched by Mr. Trump to end the war rapidly through negotiations. This approach also aligns with Turkey's policy. Our country would be an ideal host for potential meetings. We have expressed Turkey's strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and independence. At the same time, we underscored that we will provide all kinds of support for the negotiation process to result in a lasting peace. This war must end now. 

We want to walk with confident steps toward the 10 billion dollar target we have set in our bilateral trade. I expressed that we are willing to provide support to Ukraine regarding reconstruction. I sincerely believe that with the establishment of peace in Ukraine, our relations will reach even higher levels in the coming period, worthy of our strategic partnership. I appreciate the steps taken by Zelenskyy regarding the rights of our Crimean Tatar kin who are fighting for Ukraine's territorial integrity. I hope for additional steps. 

"UKRAINE'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY IS OUR NON-NEGOTIABLE"

Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty are very important to us. We have expressed Turkey's respect for its territorial integrity and sovereignty everywhere. We have addressed this issue in all international meetings. In the process ahead, Ukraine's territorial integrity is our non-negotiable. Its sovereignty is likewise our non-negotiable. There is no loser in peace. My dear friend clearly and explicitly states that he is in favor of peace. 

For a just peace to be possible, undoubtedly, the principles we know to be strong must demonstrate their stance in favor of peace. As I just stated, there is no loser in peace. Right now, the whole world is waiting for peace in this war between Russia and Ukraine. Let peace be ensured as soon as possible. Because there are so many prisoners. Besides that, so many people, hundreds of thousands of people, have been killed here. Let this death be put to an end now. As Turkey, their closest neighbors, we—both myself and my Foreign Minister—want to take steps with our counterparts to ensure peace as soon as possible. I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Zelenskyy. Regarding sending grain to Syria, the grain they sent to us, we turned it into flour and delivered it to Syria. This also pleased the administration in Syria significantly. I would like to thank them on behalf of the Syrian people in your presence." 

Zelenskyy's statements:

"I am pleased with the hospitality we have become accustomed to in Turkey. Our relations are at a high level as always. Turkey is always very important regarding issues of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. We discussed all global processes in detail. I am sure that for Ukraine, our region, and Europe, all negotiations held to end the war—and I mean in a broad sense, including the EU, Turkey, and the UK—must involve all countries in the discussions and efforts, along with the US. These concern our world. We must not make any mistakes for this war to result in a reliable and lasting peace. If the negotiations are fair, and if Ukraine, the US, and Europe are at the table, guarantees will be developed with the participation of all countries. Turkey is among these countries. I am grateful to Mr. Erdoğan for this understanding. 

"I WILL NOT GO TO SAUDI ARABIA"

We want this war to end more than anyone else. We want it, but we want it to happen under fair conditions. It is not right for things to be decided behind our backs. Issues such as how we can end the war in Ukraine without Ukraine cannot be discussed. We were not invited to the US-Russia meeting. The meeting was a surprise to us. I think it was a surprise for many people. We learned this information from the media. I will not go to Saudi Arabia. I do not want to give the wrong impression. As for the US, we are waiting for them in Kyiv. The territories of Ukraine occupied by Russia will never be recognized. They will remain as Ukraine.

There must be a transition to diplomacy. None of the actors conducting these negotiations today are discussing the exchange of prisoners. The situation is crying out for this. We need to return our people who are in captivity to their homes. I don't believe it much, but if Putin wants to end this war, first and foremost, a prisoner exchange must be carried out."

News Source: 12punto