Erdogan calls on Putin for “unilateral ceasefire” in Russia-Ukraine war

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Syria and the war in Ukraine. 

The press service of the Turkish President reported this.

Details of Erdogan’s talks with Putin

The press service of the Turkish leader reported that during the telephone conversation, Recep Erdogan and Vladimir Putin discussed Turkish-Russian relations, Syria, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Turkish President noted that the negotiations on the Russian-Ukrainian war had brought positive results. In particular, he mentioned the initiative to create a grain corridor, exchange prisoners, and ensure a safe zone around the Zaporizhzhya NPP.

Erdogan’s call for a unilateral ceasefire

Erdogan also said that calls for peace and negotiations should be backed by a unilateral ceasefire and a “vision of a just solution.”

Turkey collaborates with Russia on a gas hub

On energy issues, Erdogan said that Russia and Turkey have strengthened and continue to strengthen the infrastructure for creating a natural gas hub in Turkey and said that they are committed to completing the roadmap and taking concrete steps to implement this project as soon as possible.

Russia’s feedback

According to Russian media, Russian President Putin confirmed his “openness to dialogue” on Ukraine to the Turkish leader. However, only “if Kyiv fulfills the known requirements and considers new territorial realities.”

Ukraine’s leadership stated several times that the Russian invaders must leave the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine that they had captured. The Kremlin only pretends to be interested in negotiations. Still, it intensifies its offensive in Donbas and shelling Ukraine’s civil energy infrastructure. 

Recently, the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia would not negotiate with Ukraine “according to the formula of peace” offered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Erdogan to talk to Zelensky

This week, Turkish presidential adviser Ibrahim Kalin announced Erdogan’s telephone conversation with the President of Ukraine. The last time Erdogan spoke with Zelensky was on December 11. Then they talked about Turkey’s humanitarian aid, the “grain deal,” the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and the “peace formula” offered by Ukraine.