Erdogan says there is no Western effort to resolve the conflict in Ukraine

In the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the actions of Western countries were provocative, the West made no effort to resolve the crisis. This statement was made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a meeting with Turkish youth in Erzurum.

“Unfortunately, the West was engaged only in provocations and could not make efforts to become a mediator in the Ukrainian-Russian war,” said the Turkish leader (quote according to Anadolu).

He noted that Turkey assumed the role of an intermediary, the country managed to “achieve the commissioning of the Black Sea Grain Corridor.” Erdogan added that 44% of the exported grain went to European countries, Turkey received another 16% of the products, and 14% of supplies fell to African countries.

Russia’s special operation in Ukraine began on February 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the protection of the inhabitants of Donbass, as well as the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, its goals. During the special operation, Russian troops took full control of the LPR, as well as most of the DPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Subsequently, these territories became part of Russia.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, the parties have held talks several times in February and March, mediated by Turkey. The previous meeting of representatives of Russia and Ukraine took place on March 29 in Istanbul, after which the process was frozen.

At the same time, in July, with the participation of Turkey and the UN, Russia and Ukraine concluded a grain deal, which involves the export of Ukrainian grain, as well as the export of Russian grain and fertilizers. After that, Moscow has repeatedly pointed out non-compliance with the second part of the deal.

Western countries insist on a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. At the same time, the White House says that they do not yet see Russia’s readiness for negotiations. Moscow emphasizes that it is open to peace talks and has never refused them.

In late December, The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s team was finalizing a ten-point plan for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. According to the publication, these proposals may be submitted in February 2023.

In the Kremlin declaredthat they know nothing about the “peace plan” being developed by Ukraine. According to the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, everything that Kyiv offered before did not take into account “current realities.”