Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Holds Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister

In a significant diplomatic move, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, in Kyiv. The meeting focused on discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in the region and the efforts towards establishing a lasting peace. Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation to Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for their support, particularly in facilitating a recent meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul, which led to the release of a thousand Ukrainians held by Russia.

During the meeting, President Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the return of all Ukrainian citizens, including adults and children, currently detained in Russia. He commended Türkiye for their constructive approach and mediation efforts in the pursuit of peace, highlighting the need for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Zelenskyy also underscored Russia’s failure to fulfill its commitments, including the delay in providing a promised memorandum and agenda for negotiations.

The discussion also touched upon the necessity of increasing sanctions pressure on Russia to compel an end to the conflict. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of international support in urging Moscow to engage in honest negotiations and cease imposing conditions on the world. Additionally, the President expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s unwavering support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, emphasizing the significance of maintaining this principled stance.

The meeting between President Zelenskyy and Minister Fidan highlighted the ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine through diplomatic means, with a focus on the role of international partners in supporting the peace process. The discussions underscored the need for continued cooperation and pressure on Russia to work towards a just and lasting peace in the region.