Turkish Foreign Minister Reaffirms Türkiye’s Support for Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence amidst the ongoing conflict, emphasizing Ankara’s readiness to assist in peace efforts. Fidan made these remarks during a joint press conference in Ankara alongside his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, on Monday.
“We are facing the geopolitical challenges created by the war. Despite this, our multifaceted cooperation with Ukraine is growing stronger every day,” Fidan stated. He also underscored the importance of reviving the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which facilitated safe grain shipments between July 2022 and July 2023, under Türkiye’s coordination. Fidan expressed hope for the Black Sea to once again become a “basin of cooperation.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha highlighted Ukraine’s Peace Formula as the only viable solution for a just resolution to the war and emphasized Türkiye’s vital role in supporting the 10-step peace plan, introduced at the 2022 G20 summit in Indonesia. “We know Türkiye is contributing to this effort,” Sybiha remarked, urging all nations to endorse the peace formula in line with UN standards.
Sybiha also stressed the importance of re-establishing freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, drawing attention to Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure. He praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s crucial role in launching the “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, calling it a “vital program.”
Following the press conference, President Erdogan received Minister Sybiha at the Presidential Complex, further discussing avenues for cooperation.
Türkiye has played a central role in mediating between Russia and Ukraine, having hosted a meeting between the two nations’ foreign ministers in March 2022, which led to the landmark Black Sea grain deal. However, Moscow declined to extend the agreement after July 2023, citing limitations on Russian grain exports.
Fidan congratulated Sybiha on his recent appointment as foreign minister and expressed confidence in his ability to strengthen bilateral relations, given his experience as Ukraine’s ambassador to Ankara from 2016 to 2021.
During the press conference, Fidan highlighted the growing ties between Türkiye and Ukraine, noting that the approval process for the Türkiye-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement has been completed, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in the defense industry and Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. Turkish contractors have contributed to over 300 projects in Ukraine, with a total value of approximately $10 billion, and have completed 70 projects since the war began in 2022.
Sybiha lauded the deepening defense cooperation between the two countries, specifically mentioning Turkish companies like Baykar, which are establishing factories in Ukraine, and STM, which is building two corvettes for the Ukrainian Navy.
The Ukrainian foreign minister also met with Turkish National Defence Minister Yasar Guler during his visit, underscoring the importance of their defense partnership.
In marking Sybiha’s visit, the two foreign ministers signed agreements on diplomatic exchanges, reaffirming the strategic partnership between the two nations. Fidan stressed that Türkiye will continue its efforts to deepen ties with Ukraine, stating, “Ukraine is our strategic partner, and we will continue our efforts to deepen relations in all areas.”
Sybiha echoed these sentiments, saying, “We aim to develop strong, secure, and mutually beneficial relations with Türkiye,” and extended an invitation to Turkish President Erdogan and Foreign Minister Fidan to visit Ukraine in the near future.
