Turkey Supports Ukraine's Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is visiting Ukraine for the first time since the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian war. In the city of Lviv, he participated in a trilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Following the meeting, the parties held a joint press conference, writes ermenihaber.am.

Zelensky expressed his satisfaction with Erdogan's visit, noting that it sends a message of strong support from a powerful country. He also thanked Erdogan for the agreement reached through Turkey and the UN for grain exports between Moscow and Kyiv.

In his remarks, Erdogan stated, “During today’s bilateral meeting with Zelensky, we discussed all aspects of the strategic partnership level relations between our countries. We explored the possibilities of advancing our cooperation and solidarity in the current circumstances. Of course, the war, which has lasted for nearly six months, has been the main topic of our discussions. I once again emphasize our support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

Expressing hope that the Russo-Ukrainian war will end at the negotiating table, the Turkish president called on the international community to take greater responsibility to invigorate the diplomatic process. “We express our concern over the ongoing clashes around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. We do not wish to experience another Chernobyl,” said Erdogan.

According to the Turkish president, since the outbreak of the war, Turkey has sent 98 shipments of humanitarian aid to meet the urgent needs of the Ukrainian people. He also informed that 320,000 Ukrainians have found temporary shelter in Turkey.

It has been reported that an agreement has been signed between Ankara and Kyiv regarding the reconstruction of Ukraine's infrastructure, which has been devastated due to the war. The agreement was signed by the ministers of trade from Turkey and Ukraine. A special task force will be established by both countries to organize reconstruction efforts. This task force will coordinate the rebuilding of Ukraine's roads, bridges, water, and electricity infrastructure, as well as hospitals and schools.