The Erdogan-Chalenski meeting in Turkey lasted more than three hours. Turkey is claiming an upgraded role as a more appropriate intermediary between Russia, Ukraine and the US.

Response from Istanbul

“Our country will be an ideal host for possible talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in the coming period,” Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on the forthcoming Ukrainian negotiations, following his meeting with Volodimir. He said that Turkey made great efforts to consolidate peace, with the understanding that there would be no winners in the war and defeated in peace.

“We hosted direct negotiations in March 2022 and implemented the Black Sea cereal initiative (…) we sincerely tried to be a reliable mediator with all our efforts and achieved specific results. Constantinople in 2022 was an important point of reference, “he said.

“Turkey supports Ukraine’s sovereignty”

The Turkish president emphasized that this approach- of the credible mediator- is in line with Turkey’s policy in the last three years. “In the active diplomacy we have been following in the last three years, our country will be an ideal host for possible talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in the coming period,” he said, adding that Turkey supports sovereignty and sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine. He emphasized that Turkey would provide all kinds of support for the talks to end up in constant peace.

The Turkish president referred to the other issues that have dealt with the two leaders, such as the steps that need to be taken in bilateral trade relations. He praised Zelenski’s footsteps for the “rights of the Crimean compatriots, who are fighting for Ukraine’s territorial integrity”. He insisted on defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity. “As Turkey,” he said, “we have explained our respect everywhere. Ukraine’s territorial integrity is essential to us. “

About peace in the Russian-Ukrainian war he said: “At the moment the whole world is waiting for peace.”

Erdogan expressed hope that the road to peace would be safeguarded and said steps would take place in his meetings with Tutin. For his part, President Zelenski insisted that any talks aimed at ending the war should be “fair”, include security guarantees and include Europe and Turkey, beyond the US and the United States. The Ukrainian president also said that his country’s relations with Turkey are at a high level as always. “Turkey has shown an attitude of principles on the issues of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“We learned from the media the US-Russian approach”

“It was a surprise to us and we learned it from the media,” Zelenski said about US and Russia contacts. “Ukraine must receive security guarantees. Our accession to NATO must be supported. The first step must be the exchange of prisoners. “

Meanwhile, Zelenski was going to go to Saudi Arabia tomorrow. However, at today’s press conference with the Turkish president, he announced that he was canceling his trip to Saudi Arabia, where he had not been invited and would go to Riyadh on March 10.

It is worth noting that after meeting with President Zelenski, Tayyip Erdogan spoke by telephone with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. According to the announcement of the Turkish Presidency’s communication direction, Tayyip Erdogan told the Secretary General. Whatever he could to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, that he will continue to do Whatever it is for her, that she had contacts with many leaders and representatives of international organizations, including the warring parties and that a fair and lasting peace is possible.

Erdogan also said Turkey is making efforts to end wars in its area and around the world and that it is important for the international community to contribute to Turkey’s efforts to build peace.