Zelensky says he is ready to meet Putin in Türkiye

He said this in an interview with CNN Türk, according to Ukrinform.

“Yes, we are ready. We are ready for this meeting in Türkiye. Turkey’s position on this issue is clear. President Erdogan’s position is clear. We have close and good relations with Türkiye,” Zelensky said in response to a question about his readiness to meet Putin in the country.

The President said Türkiye could be a practical and realistic mediator and also recalled Ankara’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“I know that President Erdogan has his own communication with Putin. Therefore, we support a meeting in Türkiye,” he stressed.

According to Zelensky, despite talks held in various formats by technical teams and delegations, the war continues. He stressed that a meeting between the leaders is necessary because societies expect the war to end and concrete progress through diplomacy.

“Technical teams may have difficulties achieving results during meetings. But I do not think there is a problem that we, the leaders, cannot resolve if we demonstrate our will. That is why I want to meet as one of those who make decisions,” the President said.

In addition, Zelensky believes that security guarantees, Ukraine’s reconstruction and the territorial issue should be discussed at the leaders’ level.

At the same time, the President stressed that Ukraine would not give up its territories and would not recognize the temporarily occupied territories, including Crimea, as Russian, as this would contradict the Constitution and the will of Ukrainian society.

As reported by Ukrinform, on October 31, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul. A significant part of the talks focused on finding ways to unblock the Black Sea. The leaders also discussed the possibility of holding peace talks in Türkiye.