Turkish Foreign Ministry calls for ceasefire talks in Ukraine
6:58 AM EST, March 3, 2024
"A dialogue about the ceasefire should begin. This does not imply a recognition of the occupation (of territory by Russia), but sovereignty and ceasefire issues should be addressed separately," the minister stated at a press conference concluding a diplomatic forum in Antalya.
On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated Turkey's readiness to facilitate peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Erdogan pointed out the importance of giving diplomacy and dialogue a chance to find a "fair and lasting solution" to the conflict. "I believe it's time to start joint actions, at least in terms of defining the main parameters of peace," he added.
Erdogan affirmed Turkish support, in principle, for President Volodymyr Zelensky's 10-point peace plan and conveyed Ankara's readiness to assist in the "rapid repair and reconstruction" of Ukraine.
In March 2022, less than a month after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine's and Russia's Foreign Ministers, Dmytro Kuleba and Sergei Lavrov, met in Antalya, Turkey. Turkey has played a role in facilitating the grain deal for Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, and has participated in prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia.
