The Kremlin expects Erdogan to offer Putin’s mediation on Ukraine on Thursday

On Wednesday, October 12, the Kremlin said it expected the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan Make a concrete offer to Vladimir Putin to mediate the conflict in Ukraine, when the two men meet in Kazakhstan on Thursday.

“The Turks offer their mediation. If contacts are made (Russian – Ukrainian), then they will be made in the territoryThe Turkish Kremlin’s diplomatic advisor, Yuri Ushakov, told the press. “It is possible that Erdogan will come up with something officialHe added, specifying that he expects that “Interesting and useful discussion“.

Strengthening Russian-Turkish cooperation

Yury Ushakov once again praised the position of Turkey, which “Do not, in principle, join the illegal Western sanctionsIt was imposed on Russia because of its attack on Ukraine. which – which”It gives an additional impetus to strengthening Russian-Turkish economic cooperation‘, was sentenced.

Turkey, a member of NATO, which relies heavily on Russian gas and oil, has sought since the February 24 Russian attack to maintain its relationship with Ukraine and Russia. Ankara played a key role in the September prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine and in the conclusion of an agreement in July, under the auspices of the United Nations, between the two countries allowing the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea and the Bosphorus Strait.

“The earlier the better”

It also twice, in March, brought together Russian and Ukrainian representatives on its territory for negotiations that ultimately failed, for which both camps refused responsibility. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has met with Vladimir Putin three times in the past three months and speaks regularly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Turkish president pretends to be an excellent mediator and has long called for talks between the two men. Once again, Turkey’s diplomatic chief Mevlut Cavusoglu called on Russia and Ukraine for a ceasefire on Tuesday.As soon as possible“.”The earlier the betterHe said in a TV interview.

Read alsoWhy weren’t Greek-Turkish relations so tense for a long time?

For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated, Tuesday, in a speech to an emergency virtual meeting of the leaders of the Group of Seven countries, that there is nothing to negotiate with Vladimir Putin, who claimed the annexation of four Ukrainian regions in September, in addition to the Crimea in 2014 In response to these remarks, Yuri Ushakov told the press on Wednesday: “I would tell him that you should never say never“.

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