New York, Sept. 24 (SANA) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, bilateral relations and regional issues during a meeting in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Erdogan said Türkiye was ready to do everything within its means to help bring the war to a lasting peace and would continue efforts to revive direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, according to a statement from Türkiye’s Communications Directorate carried by Anadolu Agency on Thursday.
The Turkish president stressed the need for steps to ensure navigational safety in the Black Sea, saying attacks on commercial vessels could not be justified and calling on all parties to act responsibly.
Erdogan said Ankara would continue working to strengthen relations with Ukraine, particularly through cooperation in energy, mining and the defense industry.
For his part, Zelenskyy told reporters following the meeting that Ukraine was open to Erdogan’s proposal to host a trilateral leaders-level meeting involving Russia in Türkiye.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would support such a meeting and would be prepared to attend. He said his talks with Erdogan covered maritime security, a possible ceasefire or truce at sea and food security.
The Ukrainian president also highlighted economic ties between the two countries and the free trade agreement, saying the two sides aim to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion.
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