As part of a working visit to Turkey, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan.
The negotiations took place in a narrow circle and with the participation of delegations.
"Today, as always, there were completely sincere, productive talks between Ukraine and Turkey. The obvious priority is that we are trying to strengthen our security and our strength as much as possible in order to quickly restore a just peace for all our land and all our people and for the Black Sea region," said the Head of the Ukrainian state during a meeting with representatives of the media following the negotiations with the President of Turkey in Istanbul.
Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan and the people of Turkey for supporting the independence and territorial integrity of our state, as well as for supporting all our people. He specifically expressed gratitude to the Turkish leader for efforts to release Ukrainian citizens from Russian captivity.
"Thanks to Turkey's mediation, we have achieved significant humanitarian results. We are now counting on further efforts. Today, I handed over a list of our Ukrainian citizens, including Crimean Tatars, who were repressed by Russia on the occupied territory of Ukraine and are being held in Russian prisons and camps in extremely harsh, inhumane conditions. We must release them all - soldiers, civilians, those who were captured in defending their people, and those who suffer Russian repression simply because of who they are - Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars, all... like Nariman Dzhelal, Lenie Umerov, Server Mustafaev, and all other unlawfully detained," the President emphasized.
During the meeting, the parties also paid significant attention to the implementation of the Peace Formula and preparation for the Global Peace Summit at the leaders' level, organized in Switzerland.
"It is obvious that Turkey's special role deserves your country's leadership to be demonstrated at the peace summit and in the joint work of the world majority for the full implementation of the Peace Formula," said the Head of the Ukrainian state.
At the same time, he emphasized that the format of the inaugural peace summit does not include inviting representatives from Russia.
"We do not see how it is possible to invite people who are blocking, destroying, and killing everything. We want to achieve results - a just peace for Ukraine. Therefore, civilized countries of the world will first develop a detailed plan and achieve results, and then invite representatives from Russia - those who are ready for a just peace," said Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Presidents of Ukraine and Turkey also discussed issues of food security and ensuring stability in the Black Sea region.
"The Ukrainian maritime corridor operates with unchanged efficiency - almost 30 million tons of cargo have already passed through the corridor. We are grateful to our Turkish partners for their constant cooperation. I am confident we can achieve even more. Security is needed for the entire Black Sea, therefore, Russian aggression must be stopped," noted the Head of State.
In turn, the President of the Republic of Turkey emphasized the support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.
"It is very important for Ukraine to have a strong economy and sustainable peace in the future," said Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan.
He confirmed Turkey's support for Ukraine's goals regarding Euro-Atlantic integration and expressed readiness to assist in the reconstruction of our state.
"We provide strong support for the reconstruction of Ukraine. In this context, in January, we held a forum on the reconstruction of Ukraine in Istanbul," said the President of Turkey.
Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan also emphasized that the Crimean Tatars are bravely fighting for the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, and his country will continue to support the Crimean Tatar people.
"The Crimean Tatars in Ukraine are one of the important factors in strengthening friendship between our two countries. I thank the President for guaranteeing the rights of our brothers and his work to strengthen their autonomous status. We have always supported the Crimean Tatars and will continue to do so," emphasized the President of Turkey.
