President Erdoğan speaks at joint press conference with Ukrainian leader Zelensky: 'We are ready to host a peace summit'

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at a joint press conference with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

"I am pleased to host Zelensky once again. I extend my get-well wishes to both countries due to the attack that took place near the location where Zelensky and Mitsotakis were present. We discussed the developments regarding the war in detail. I emphasized our support for the territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of our strategic partner, Ukraine.

"WE HAVE PROVIDED ALL THE CONTRIBUTION WE COULD"

No step could be taken that would go beyond the negotiating table established in March 2022 for the establishment of peace. We have provided all the contribution we could. We are ready to host a peace summit in which Russia will also participate. The Black Sea initiative prevented a global crisis by allowing nearly 33 million tons of grain to reach those in need.

It is of great importance that Ukraine has established its lasting security. In our meetings today, we also discussed bilateral relations. We agreed on reaching our 10 billion dollar target. The entry into force of the free trade agreement will add momentum to our cooperation. We will also strongly support the reconstruction efforts of Ukraine. We have also held the Ukraine reconstruction forum.

The presence of Crimean Tatars in Ukraine is one of the factors that strengthens the friendship between the two countries. I thank Zelensky for his efforts in guaranteeing the rights of our kinsmen and strengthening their autonomy status. While we continue our support for Ukraine, we will also continue to work for the fair termination of the war."

"WE WANT TO BRING PEACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"

Zelensky's statements:

"Dear Turkish people, first of all, thank you for your support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. As always, we held a productive and sincere meeting. We want to bring peace to all our lands as soon as possible, both for our people and for the Black Sea.

I expressed my gratitude during the stage of rescuing our citizens from Russian captivity. Today, I spoke about Crimean Tatars, especially those who are oppressed by Russia; these people are in harsh, inhumane conditions in the occupied Ukrainian territories. These people must be free.

TURKEY'S ROLE IS IMPORTANT

Everyone deserves a life in peace in their own home. We drew attention to our peace plan, and I provided information about the preparations for the summit at the leaders' level. It will also be held in Switzerland; Turkey's role is also important in the realization of the peace plan. As for the opening summit, we do not want to see representatives of the Russian side there. We want a just peace.

We are ready for reconstruction and the advancement of agreements between the two countries. We are working on joint production of weapons and ammunition. There are already Turkish representatives in Ukraine; this strategic direction is very important for our peoples.

We can do more. More than 30 million tons of grain passed through that corridor; now, on the eve of the month of Ramadan, I want to wish everyone calmness and such happiness. Every day, there is a loss of our people and the killing of Ukrainian children by the occupiers, so we wish that peace comes a little closer to us in this holy month of Ramadan."

"THIS MEANS THOUSANDS OF JOBS"

Q&A

Zelensky:

Every proposal offered to end this war is based on a formula. We are now defending our own land; we are in our own home. The proposals we put forward are based on practical results; it is a long and tiring road, but food security will also be discussed at the opening summit I mentioned today, and it is also related to navigation safety. All countries with a coast on the Black Sea want the grain corridor to work. We want all our ports to work. In addition to the large ports in Odesa, we want to expand this number of ports. This will mean thousands of jobs.

"WE BELIEVE RUSSIA WILL RESPECT TURKEY'S STANCE"

Erdoğan:

-The presence of Russian soldiers in Ukraine, all of these, as a country that defends peace so much, we believe that Russia will also respect Turkey's stance. If this does not happen, it is not possible to ensure peace. We will consider that we have done our duty in the eyes of the world public.

"I THINK ERDOĞAN CAN DO THIS"

Zelensky:

President Erdoğan has always recognized and voiced Ukraine's territorial integrity, and you heard it today as well. I am grateful to him for never changing his mind. No one could bring back the Crimean Tatars; it is a great pain on behalf of their families and people. We brought some of them back, but most are currently in captivity. I delivered a list today; my list is being updated; unfortunately, they are not returning home. I think Erdoğan can do this. At least he will try. As for the grain corridor, when Ukraine was in difficult conditions and exports were of critical importance for Ukraine, the corridor started to work thanks to the efforts of Guterres and Erdoğan.

"WE ARE NOT HOPELESS"

Erdoğan:

Three topics are important. Food, navigation guarantee, and prisoner exchange. It is of great importance that calmness and the assurance of the security of the ports are requested due to the month of Ramadan. We are of the same opinion regarding food security, prisoner exchange, and navigation safety; we need to take steps on this matter. As Turkey, we are taking these steps because we see some positive approaches in these areas, and we hope to achieve results. We are not hopeless; this hall has witnessed many things, and we set out on this path hoping that we will witness them again.