On Friday, August 25, 2023, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other senior Ukrainian officials had a meeting with Hakan Fidan, the Turkish Foreign Minister in Kyiv.
After the meeting, Zelenskyy made a post on Telegram which read, “Many important issues: The peace formula, preparations for the Global Peace Summit, the risks associated with Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea grain corridor.”
During the meeting, Zelenskyy expressed appreciation to Turkey for its humanitarian support and assistance in the release of Ukrainian captives.
Zelenskyy acknowledged the continued and consistent support made by Turkey for Ukraine.
He also hailed the diplomatic efforts made by Turkish leadership, especially President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which are aimed at ending the ongoing war and restoring stability and security in the Black Sea region.
Zelenskyy made mention of Erdogan’s address to the participants of the 3rd Summit of the International Crimea Platform.
“We heard very important signals of support for our territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is important that President Erdoğan addressed us with the words that Crimea is Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.
Additionally, the group deliberated on the state of implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and preparations for the global peace summit.
“Türkiye has become one of the first leaders of the Peace Formula. We count on the further active role of the Republic of Türkiye in its implementation.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The Turkish Foreign Minister, on his part, highlighted his country’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the importance of the Ukrainian Peace Formula.
Moreover, the parties talked about the risks posed by Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea grain corridor.
Ukraine is a global major grain grower and exporter and normally ships millions of metric tons of food from its deep-water Black Sea ports of Odesa and Mykolaiv.
However, it has had to rely on its Danube River ports after Russia suspended its participation of the Black Sea grain deal last month.
Meanwhile on Friday, a senior U.S official sugested that there are viable routes to export Ukrainian grain through the country’s territorial waters and overland.
Hakan Fidan Meets With Ukrainian Prime Minister
Also on Friday, Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Hakan Fidan.
“I am grateful to Turkey for the principled position of supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace formula,” Shmyhal noted .
“We met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. We discussed the intensification of our trade and economic cooperation, the future restoration of Ukraine, as well as other joint projects that are promising for our countries. We look forward to the speedy finalization of all procedures for the entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement.”
Denys Shmyhal
Shmyhal and Fidan also discussed global food security.
Fidan is expected to visit Russia following his trip to Ukraine.
Also on Friday, Kremlin Spokesman, Dmitry Peskov announced that Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet soon.
When asked about Erdogan’s invitation to Putin to visit Turkey to discuss the grain deal and other pressing issues, Peskov replied, “There is an understanding that this meeting will take place soon.”
“We usually synchronise announcements of such visits with our partner countries. We will announce shortly when and where it will take place. The meeting is being prepared, and is being prepared very thoroughly.”
Dmitry Peskov
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