Thank you message from Zelensky to President Erdoğan: Is Turkey the venue for peace talks?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his efforts regarding the war following his visit to Ankara yesterday (February 18).

Drawing attention to the importance of Turkey's solidarity with Ukraine, Zelensky stated, 'I thank President Erdoğan for his efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war.'

Following the meeting held at Beştepe, the two leaders sent a message regarding the preservation of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Emphasizing the importance of Erdoğan's show of solidarity with Ukraine, Zelensky noted the following:

'We want a just peace, a lasting peace, a sustainable peace. We do not want death to come to our country again. I believe that wanting this is a fair stance.'

WILL TURKEY BE INCLUDED IN THE TALKS?

Zelensky and Erdoğan met in Ankara on Tuesday. During the joint press conference held after the meeting, Turkey's support for Ukraine and the peace process were discussed. While Zelensky advocated for Turkey's inclusion in the peace talks, Erdoğan called for negotiations to be continued in Ankara or Istanbul.

At the meeting held at the Presidential Complex, the two leaders evaluated regional developments and the diplomatic efforts being carried out to end the war in Ukraine. Following the meeting, Erdoğan and Zelensky appeared before the press.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized Turkey's support for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity, stating the following:

'Our country would be an ideal host for potential talks. We 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.'

In his statement, where he drew attention to the importance of international cooperation to end the war, Zelensky expressed the following:

'I am sure that for Ukraine, our region, and Europe, all negotiations to end the war—in a broad sense, I mean both the EU, Turkey, and the UK—should include all countries, 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.'

During the meeting, bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and regional security issues were also discussed.

News Source: 12punto