Erdogan Proposes Turkey-Hosted Summit To Address Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday proposed Turkey as the host for a peace summit aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, including participation from Russia. The offer was made during a press event in Istanbul with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following their discussions at Dolmabahçe Palace.

Erdoğan emphasized Turkey’s commitment to Ukraine, expressing a desire for a peaceful resolution through negotiation. He reiterated Turkey’s support for the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a critical agreement facilitating food and fertilizer exports from Ukraine, which faced suspension last year.

The discussions between Erdoğan and Zelenskyy lasted around 90 minutes and covered several critical issues, including the safety of maritime navigation in the Black Sea, port security, and the exchange of prisoners. Zelenskyy, on his second visit to Turkey, praised the country for its support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, acknowledging significant humanitarian achievements facilitated by Ankara.