Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Türkiye on Saturday, at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Türkiye’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran announced on Friday.
Talks in Istanbul will address steps to further strengthen cooperation between Türkiye and Ukraine, as well as regional and international developments, particularly Russia’s war against Ukraine and security in the Black Sea, Duran said.
The visit comes as Türkiye continues to position itself as a diplomatic interlocutor in efforts to end the war, while seeking to protect maritime security and stability in the Black Sea.
Black Sea security and peace efforts on agenda
Erdogan and Zelenskyy last met in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where they discussed Black Sea security, the operation of Ukraine’s maritime export corridor and ways to advance bilateral trade.
Zelenskyy said at the time that Ukraine was open to Türkiye hosting a trilateral leaders’ meeting on peace negotiations. Erdogan had expressed readiness to host such talks, according to the Ukrainian president.
Türkiye has previously hosted negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul and has sought to facilitate diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire and a lasting settlement.
The upcoming meeting is expected to provide another opportunity for the two leaders to discuss the war, maritime security and the future of Türkiye-Ukraine cooperation.
