Ukraine approves memorandum on defense cooperation with Türkiye
Illustrative photo (kmu.gov.ua)
On October 22, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of the Republic of Türkiye. It concerns the mutual acceptance of state quality assurance for defense goods, works, and services, says Taras Melnychuk, Permanent Representative of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in the Ukrainian Parliament.
The document was signed on March 8, 2024 in Istanbul.
This Memorandum will facilitate the development of cooperation between Ukraine and Türkiye in the defense sector, in particular in the procurement of defense products. The main goal is to strengthen the defense industry of both countries through mutual recognition of the quality of defense goods and services.
Zelenskyy's visit to Türkiye
On March 8, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a working visit to Türkiye, accompanied by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
During his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the main topic of discussion was the release of Ukrainian prisoners. Erdogan said that Türkiye was ready to become a platform for a peace summit on the war in Ukraine, to which he planned to invite representatives of Moscow.
He emphasized that Türkiye has contributed to a negotiated peaceful settlement since the beginning of the conflict and continues to support this process. “We are ready to organize a peace summit with the participation of Russia,” Erdogan said.
Zelenskyy responded to the proposal by saying that Ukraine does not see the possibility of Russian representatives participating in such a summit.
In addition, during the visit, an agreement was signed between Ukraine and Türkiye to create a system of electronic information exchange between the customs authorities of the two countries. The Ukrainian President also handed over to the Turkish side a list of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia, including repressed Crimean Tatars.
