Türkiye exerts 'most intense efforts’ to end Russia-Ukraine war: Erdogan

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said early Saturday that Türkiye has made the "most intense efforts to end” the Russia-Ukraine war through talks "on the basis of international law.”

His comments came at a news conference with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul.

Zelenskyy visited Türkiye on Friday to discuss relations, regional and international issues, including the latest developments in the war, the Black Sea grain deal and ensuring peace and stability in the Black Sea region.

"In the war that we will wake up to on the 500th day, the Ukrainian people are defending the territorial integrity and independence of their country. From the moment the danger of conflict began to emerge, we made every effort to prevent war," said Erdogan.

Regarding the historic Black Sea grain deal, Erdogan hoped for an extension of the deal which is set to expire July 17.

"I believe that all relevant parties will act with a sense of global responsibility for this purpose. Undoubtedly, Ukraine deserves NATO membership,” said Erdogan. "On this occasion, I would like to reemphasize a point that I have always defended insistently. A just peace has no losers. Despite the differences in understanding between the parties, it is our most sincere desire to return to the search for peace as soon as possible.”

Last June, Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports which had been paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022.

A Joint Coordination Center with officials from the three countries and the UN was set up in Istanbul to oversee the shipments.

More than 33 million tons of grain have been transported to people in need, according to Turkish officials.

Russian officials have strongly hinted that Moscow could block the extension of the deal this month, complaining that parts of it to allow Russian exports have gone unfulfilled.

Türkiye, internationally praised for its unique mediator role between Ukraine and Russia, has repeatedly urged Kyiv and Moscow to end the war through talks.