Erdogan Pushes for Renewed Ukraine–Russia Talks in Istanbul
Ankara, Turkey - Amidst ongoing Russian attacks, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Ukraine and Russia to resume peace negotiations in Istanbul, citing the “grueling effects of the war for both sides.” The call came during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara, signaling a renewed push for diplomatic solutions.
Zelensky expressed agreement with Erdogan’s proposal,stating,”We hope for the strength of Turkish diplomacy and that it will be understood in Moscow.” He indicated that “many processes are active” aimed at restarting talks, including efforts to resume prisoner exchanges. zelensky expressed hope for a resumption of prisoner swaps by year-end, following preparations for the exchange of 1,200 Ukrainian prisoners of war discussed after recent talks in Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Confirmation from the Russian side is currently pending.
Zelensky stated his visit to Turkey was specifically intended to revitalize negotiations with Russia to end the conflict.However,the Kremlin has indicated no Russian representatives were present for discussions. Turkey has previously hosted peace negotiations between the two nations, and Erdogan maintains close ties with Russian President vladimir Putin.
The push for talks occurs as Russia continues its military offensive. Zelensky reported over 470 drone attacks and 48 rocket and cruise missile strikes on western Ukraine overnight. Ukraine,in turn,has utilized US-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike targets within Russia,specifically in the Voronezh region – a first for the conflict.
Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian aggression for over three and a half years. The Russian Defense Ministry claims to be targeting military-industrial complex and energy infrastructure within Ukraine, though it has not addressed reports of civilian casualties.
Source: ntv.de, gut/dpa
