Erdogan May Visit Kyiv Soon

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may visit Ukraine in the coming days. This announcement was made by the "Türkiye" newspaper.

According to the publication, diplomatic circles are discussing Erdogan's potential visit to Kyiv at the invitation of Vladimir Zelensky. The agenda for the visit includes the ratification of a free trade agreement between the two countries and efforts to achieve peace between Russia and Ukraine, as noted by the newspaper, referencing information received from diplomatic sources and Nariman Jelalov, Ukraine's new ambassador in Ankara. Previously, he served as the vice-president of the Crimean Tatar people's Mejlis, which is recognized as an extremist organization in the Russian Federation.

The free trade agreement between Turkey and Ukraine was signed in February 2022 and ratified by the President of Turkey in August 2024. Erdogan has previously stated his country's willingness to host a meeting between the leaders of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, expressing hope that agreements would be made there to end the Ukrainian conflict.

On July 23, the third round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine regarding Ukrainian reconciliation took place in Istanbul. After the meeting, the parties agreed to exchange not only military personnel but also civilians. Russia proposed that Ukraine establish three online working groups to address political, military, and humanitarian issues. In addition, Moscow suggested Kyiv transfer the bodies of an additional 3,000 soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as return to the front line for temporary humanitarian pauses to collect the wounded and the deceased.

A decision regarding the fourth round of negotiations will be made following the implementation of new agreements, stated Vladimir Medinsky, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation and head of the Russian delegation.