Türkiye ready to help realize high-level Russia-Ukraine meetings

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday voiced his country's "readiness to do its utmost for the realization of high-level Russia-Ukraine meetings that will pave the way for peace.", reported Xinhua.

Erdogan made the remarks during a phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, discussing the Türkiye-Ukraine relations, the Ukraine-Russia peace process as well as regional and global issues, the Turkish presidency said in a statement.

During the phone talks, Erdogan said Türkiye "closely follows the talks in Alaska and Washington," the statement said, reaffirming Türkiye's continued efforts to help bring the war to an end.

Erdogan told Zelensky that his country will continue to contribute to Ukraine's security, it said.

While stressing that "a just peace is possible in the Ukraine-Russia war," Erdogan said that the negotiations between the parties should be continued "in an intensified manner," it added.

For his part, Zelensky said he exchanged views on the current situation and discussed the next diplomatic steps.

He expressed his gratitude for Türkiye's "constant readiness and commitment to help achieve a genuine peace."

"We deeply value all the assistance provided by Türkiye," the Ukrainian president said in a post on X.

"Ukraine is ready to engage in the format of leaders, as this is the only effective format," he said.