In view of Russian troop movements, the Ukrainian President is seeking the support of Black Sea neighbor Turkey.
(Photo: via REUTERS)
Istanbul When Recep Tayyip Erdogan goes on state visits, it’s usually not just to shake hands. So also in Ukraine. Erdogan and his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky signed, among other things, the contract for a free trade agreement between the two countries on Thursday in Kiev.
In addition, combat drones from the Turkish manufacturer Baykar are to be produced in Ukraine soon. “We intend to increase the trade volume to ten billion US dollars per year,” Erdogan said.
In relation to the tensions surrounding an impending invasion of Russian troops in Ukraine, Erdogan had taken Ukraine under his protection. “I would like to reiterate that we continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea,” Erdogan said at the joint press conference.
Erdogan had offered to mediate in the conflict since the fall and renewed this offer on Thursday. While Russia in particular initially had concerns, Kiev is basically open to Erdogan’s offer to organize a top-level meeting in Turkey.
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>> Read here: Erdogan offers himself as a mediator: Why Turkey of all people wants to mediate in the Ukraine conflict
Turkey is ready to do its part to solve the crisis between Turkey’s two neighboring countries on the other side of the Black Sea, Erdogan said. “I would like to thank President Erdogan for the initiative to act as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia on the way to ending the conflict,” Zelensky replied.
Turkey calls Ukraine a ‘strategic partner’
Before his trip to Kiev, Erdogan spoke out in favor of a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict. “We call on all parties to exercise restraint and maintain dialogue,” he said on Thursday before his departure. The problems in the Black Sea region must be clarified according to international law. They also support the independence of the “strategic partner” Ukraine.
Western countries have recently failed to resolve the tensions between Ukraine and Russia in the long term. Moscow has deployed more than 100,000 troops to the Ukrainian border. The federal government’s offer to send 5,000 helmets had caused ridicule internationally and fueled doubts about Germany’s solidarity with Ukraine. A successful mediation by Erdogan would also send a signal to his western allies and would be an opportunity for him to improve his international standing.
More: US moves troops to Germany and Poland.