In Lviv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan who arrived in our country on a visit.
The Head of State noted the importance of this visit: "This is a strong message of support from such a powerful country as Turkey."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Republic of Turkey for its constant support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
During a meeting, the interest in further reliable partnership with Turkey was emphasized. The leaders discussed the entire complex of bilateral relations and agreed that further expansion of cooperation between the states would strengthen both sides.
The Presidents positively assessed the implementation of the grain export initiative. Volodymyr Zelensky noted the leading role of Turkey and Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan personally in the launch and implementation of this initiative. The Head of State noted that it helps overcome the global food crisis.
The leaders discussed the possibility of improving the initiative, strengthening the security of its implementation and increasing the volume of relevant exports.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan also discussed the issue of Russia's large-scale theft of grain in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. In particular, it was pointed out that the occupiers appropriated almost 0.5 million tons of grain. The leaders agreed that any trade in stolen goods is unacceptable.
"Russia's attempts to sell stolen goods must be stopped," said Zelensky.
The leaders also discussed the situation around the Zaporizhzhia NPP and nuclear blackmail by the Russian Federation whose actions threaten Ukraine and the whole world with catastrophe. Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Russian nuclear blackmail at the Zaporizhzhia NPP is one of the biggest risks created by Russia's war against Ukraine.
According to the Head of State, the mission and duty of every country should be a tough and consistent reaction to any manifestations of nuclear blackmail in order to stop it.
"Russia must withdraw its troops from the plant immediately," the President of Ukraine stressed.
In addition, the leaders touched upon the issues of defense interaction, discussed the prospects of cooperation in this direction.
Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for the participation of the President of Turkey in the second summit of the Crimea Platform.
The President of Ukraine personally and on behalf of his wife Olena thanked the First Lady of Turkey for her participation in the Kyiv Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, which was held recently.
