Russian envoy supports meeting of top Russian, Ukrainian diplomats in Turkiye

By Bayram Altlug and Peter Kenny

GENEVA (AA) - Moscow's ambassador to the UN in Geneva said Friday he supports a meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine that could take place next week in Turkiye.

Gennady Gatilov, Russia's former deputy foreign minister, said he supported such a meeting when he spoke to reporters in Geneva, responding to a question by an Anadolu Agency reporter.

Gatilov said a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba would be "a good thing."

"Any talking and discussions are good. Any diplomatic movements are good. If it takes place, it is OK," said Gatilov.

Turkiye's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had said earlier at a news conference after an extraordinary meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels that they wanted to bring the Ukrainian and Russian sides together.

Such a meeting could occur at the ministerial level, at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), on March 11-13 in Turkiye's Mediterranean resort city of Antalya.

Cavusoglu said: "We would like to bring the Ukrainians and the Russian side together, at least at the ministerial level.

"We would be happy if the Antalya Diplomacy Forum would be instrumental in this. It seems that there are allies and foreign ministers or representatives of international organizations who want to meet with (Russian Foreign Minister) Sergey Lavrov at the margins of this forum."

Referring to the openness of Turkish airspace, Cavusoglu said it is important not only for Turkiye but also for the countries that impose sanctions and their citizens.

"The openness of this airspace is important strategically and in humanitarian terms. That's why we keep the airspace open," said Cavusoglu.

- Open airspace

On the open Turkish airspace, Gatilov said: "I think it's a good stance."

Russia's war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has drawn international outrage.

The EU, US, and the UK, among others, implemented tough financial sanctions on Moscow and condemnation at the UN General Assembly and UN Human Rights Council.

Moscow has been further isolated, with its planes barred from flying in European, US, and Canadian airspace.

According to the UN refugee agency, more than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries.

In the second round of peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv on Thursday, the two sides agreed on creating humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians.

Turkiye has good ties with both Russia and Ukraine and has called for a peaceful resolution.