Erdoğan proposes groundwork for Zelenskyy–Putin meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call. They discussed a potential Ukraine–Russia meeting at the leaders' level, the office of the Turkish leader reported.
As noted by the presidential office, the conversation took place at the request of the Ukrainian side.
The leaders discussed bilateral relations between Ukraine and Türkiye, as well as regional and global issues.
The President of Türkiye recalled the progress made during the negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul. He expressed hope for achieving significant results in establishing a ceasefire and lasting peace.
"President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye is ready to host a leaders' summit and believes that creating working groups in the military, humanitarian, and political spheres could pave the way for this summit," the office clarified.
Erdoğan also assured that Türkiye will continue to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Updated 17:26
The head of the Ukrainian state said that the talks with Erdoğan were friendly and substantive.
In particular, according to Zelenskyy, the Turkish leader stressed that any negotiations without Ukraine would not lead to lasting peace.
"We equally understand all the risks and threats. An imitated, rather than genuine, peace will definitely not last long and will encourage Russia to seize even more territory," the President of Ukraine noted.
In turn, Erdoğan confirmed his readiness to organize a summit of the leaders of Türkiye, the United States, Ukraine, and Russia.
Zelenskyy–Putin meeting
During the third round of negotiations in Istanbul, Ukraine proposed to Russia to hold a leaders' meeting by the end of August.
The Ukrainian side also stated that it wanted to participate in the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not rule out a meeting with Zelenskyy. However, in his opinion, it is "still far" from fulfilling the conditions necessary for such a meeting.
