Erdogan offers to facilitate Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Zelensky pins hope on pivotal 2024
According to an announcement from Erdogan's office, during the conversation with Zelensky, the Turkish president emphasized that Turkey is making "strenuous efforts" to end the violence in both Ukraine and the Palestinian territories.
10:21 AM EST, January 6, 2024
Erdogan also reportedly discussed the importance of renewing the grain corridor that runs through the Turkish strait of Bosporus, the Black Sea, and onto Ukrainian ports.
A past agreement that facilitated the export of Ukrainian grain, negotiated with the support of Turkey and the UN in July 2022, expired after Moscow declined to extend it in 2023.
At that time, Moscow accused the West of meddling with the export of grains and fertilizers, and since then, it has been targeting Ukrainian agricultural and port infrastructure.
Turkey also played a negotiator in exchanging prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. This exchange, which included the defenders of Azovstal in Mariupol, took place in Turkey.
Zelensky on war priorities: "Survive this year"
So far, there is no indication from the Russian side that the war will likely end soon. The Ukrainians are also not hopeful for a swift conclusion to the conflict. Volodymyr Zelensky expressed this sentiment in his address on Friday.
The President of Ukraine proclaimed that 2024 will be a pivotal year for the future direction of the war. "Surviving this year means surviving the entire war with Russia," he stated.
Zelensky also referred to his talk with Erdogan. He pointed out that Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation largely hinges on security in the region, specifically in the Black Sea, and on ensuring global food security.
