Erdogan’s Statement on Turkey’s Role in Europe
- Turkey’s Potential Role: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Turkey is the only country capable of saving the European Union from the issues it faces due to the ongoing Ukraine war.
- EU Membership as Key: Erdogan emphasized that Turkey’s EU membership is essential for remedying Europe’s defense challenges and addressing the continent’s aging population.
- Quote: “This could only happen with Ankara’s EU membership,” Erdogan said.
Zelensky’s Remarks on Involving Turkey in Peace Talks
- Inclusion in Negotiations: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for Turkey, the UK, the EU, and the US to be included in negotiations with Russia to end the war, highlighting the importance of involving all relevant countries in peace talks.
- Security Guarantees: Zelensky stressed that security guarantees should be a part of the negotiations, which can only succeed if all key players are involved.
- Fair Negotiations: He insisted that the process must be fair and inclusive.
Context of Zelensky’s Visit
- Visit to Turkey: Zelensky’s comments came during his visit to Ankara, coinciding with US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia that excluded both Ukraine and the EU.
- US Position: Since taking office, US President Donald Trump and his administration have suggested that the US might negotiate directly with Moscow without involving the EU.
Key Points Summary
- Erdogan asserts Turkey’s vital role in saving the EU from challenges posed by the Ukraine war.
- Zelensky calls for Turkey, the EU, the UK, and the US to be part of peace talks with Russia.
- Zelensky emphasizes the importance of fair negotiations and security guarantees involving all relevant countries.
- Zelensky’s visit coincided with US-Russia talks that excluded Ukraine and the EU.