Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky. Erdogan emphasized the significance of Russia and Ukraine’s willingness to resume direct talks, asserting Turkey’s readiness to support the process at every stage.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Erdogan shared his satisfaction with Turkey’s role in hosting the Russian and Ukrainian delegations for the resumption of peace negotiations. He highlighted that a comprehensive ceasefire would set the stage for meaningful peace talks, urging that this opportunity should not be overlooked.

Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested the resumption of direct talks with Ukraine, proposing Istanbul as the venue for the discussions next Thursday, following a halt in negotiations since 2022.