Erdogan says Ukraine deserves NATO membership

Ukraine deserves NATO membership, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after a July 7 meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart in Istanbul. The parties discussed relations between the two countries, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the prospects for extending the grain deal, transmits Haber.

After meeting with Zelensky, Erdogan said that Turkey has made the greatest efforts to end the conflict through negotiations based on international law. He recalled the first meetings of Russian-Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul in March last year and the launch of a grain initiative through Turkey’s mediation.

“I hope that the initiative, which delivers approximately 33 million tons of grain per year to countries in need, will be extended again after July 17, and that all parties will act with a sense of global responsibility to achieve this goal. Undoubtedly, Ukraine deserves NATO membership <...> Despite the differences in understanding between the parties, we sincerely wish to return to the search for peace as soon as possible,” Erdogan said.

The Turkish leader also announced a visit to the country by Russian President Vladimir Putin next month. According to him, the presidents will discuss the exchange of prisoners “face to face”.

Zelensky, in his Telegram channel following the meeting with Erdogan, said that the parties signed a number of agreements and discussed “various joint projects.” We are talking about cooperation in the military-industrial complex, the development of technologies, the production of drones and “other strategic industries.” Zelensky also said that he had invited Ankara to join the work to restore Ukraine. “I am grateful to Turkey for its continued support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine,” he wrote.

In early July, Erdogan said that Turkey faced opposition from the “military lobby” in organizing negotiations to extend the grain deal and the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. According to him, Turkey “is still the only country that simultaneously negotiates with Russia and Ukraine, manages channels of dialogue and develops proposals.”