* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)
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President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine's capital city of Kyiv yesterday (February 3). The meeting of the Presidents came amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), speaking at a joint news conference with Zelensky, Erdoğan reiterated that Turkey is "ready to do its part to end tensions between Ukraine and Russia."
Before the presser, the two leaders discussed developments in the region and bilateral relations for over three hours.
"I have emphasized that Turkey would be glad to host a summit [between Russia and Ukraine] at leaders level, or discussions at technical level," Erdoğan said, adding, "I want to reiterate that we continue to support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, including Crimea."
"We sincerely believe that the crisis will end peacefully and diplomatically on the basis of international law and the territorial integrity of Ukraine in line with the Minsk Protocol," stated Erdoğan further.
Economy
Speaking about the economy as well, President Erdoğan said that they exchanged views on steps to increase the bilateral trade volume to 10 billion US dollars, and that the newly signed free trade agreement (FTA) would have a positive impact in this regard.
"Our meetings and the agreements signed today symbolize our will to further advance our strategic partnership," said Turkey's President: "I believe we will continue to strengthen our bilateral relations."
The' meeting coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Ukraine. The 10th High-Level Strategic Council meeting was also held with participation of accompanying delegations. Turkey and Ukraine signed eight cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding. The FTA was signed by Turkey's Trade Minister Mehmet Muş and Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
'Production of drones to expand'
Taking the floor at the press conference, Ukraine's Zelensky said that signing of the FTA is a "historic event," thanking Erdoğan for his offer to act as a mediator in ending tensions between Moscow and Kyiv.
"The FTA will help us achieve our goals more rapidly and effectively," Zelensky said, adding that there are challenges related with security, and steps to establish peace "were the main items in our talks."
He added that the newly signed defense agreements will expand production of drones by Turkey's defense firm Baykar in Ukraine.
Turkey's state-run AA has reported that the Bayraktar TB2 has been sold to countries including Ukraine, Qatar, Azerbaijan and Poland. Last May, Poland became the first European Union (EU) and NATO member state to acquire drones from Turkey. The Ukrainian Armed Forces first purchased Bayraktar TB2 UAVs and ground control stations from Turkey in 2019.
Crimea and tensions with Russia
A "new momentum" to relations in the field of energy were also discussed, which could bring "positive outcomes" for the security of the entire region, Ukraine's President Zelensky reportedly said further, also thanking Turkey for its "active participation in the Crimea Platform for the liberation of Crimea and the protection of the rights of the Crimean people."
Ukraine and Russia have been locked in a conflict since hostilities in the eastern Donbas region broke out in 2014 after Russia illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula. Russia has also recently amassed tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine's borders, prompting fears that the Kremlin could be planning another military offensive against the former Soviet republic.
Moscow has denied it is preparing to invade, saying its troops are there for exercises. (AEK/SD)
