“Turkey, which has the second largest army in NATO after the US, is open to the provision of troops for peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, reports Bloomberg with reference to words of people familiar with this issue. According to media sources, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed this issue with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during separate meetings in Ankara early this month. While US President Donald Trump is working on a plan with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to ensure ceasefire in the Russian Federation against Ukraine, he stated that he would support the participation of European allies in the peacekeeping forces and providing security guarantees to Ukraine, but excludes a direct role in the United States. This makes Turkey’s proposal to help monitor a potential truce critically important for ease of burden on European allies, including the United Kingdom and France, which develop plans for peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. Bloomberg sources have stated that Turkey would not participate in any peacekeeping mission unless it is involved in all consultations and preparations for its formation. Erdogan maintained close ties with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and used its ability to speak with both countries to play a central role in negotiations on the Black Sea corridor to export Ukrainian grain, although Russia refused this agreement in 2023. Russia did not answer Turkey to the question of peacekeepers in Ukraine, although this topic was discussed with Lavrov during his recent visit, a person close to the Russian government said. According to the interlocutor, this issue is not considered as a primary issue. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to a comment request. Zelensky told journalists in Ankara on February 18 that peace “is possible only when negotiations will be honest and Ukraine, America and the whole of Europe will be represented at the negotiation table.” On Monday, Erdogan spoke of Turkey’s military power and potential to strengthen Europe’s security, saying that a long -standing desire to join the European Union would benefit all parties. “Only Turkey’s full membership in the block can save the European Union from the dead end, from the economy to defense, from policy to international reputation,” Erdogan said.”, – WRITE: www.radiosvoboda.org
Turkey, which has the second largest army in NATO after the US, is open to the provision of troops for peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, reports Bloomberg with reference to words of people familiar with this issue. According to media sources, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed this issue with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during separate meetings in Ankara early this month. While US President Donald Trump is working on a plan with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to ensure ceasefire in the Russian Federation against Ukraine, he stated that he would support the participation of European allies in the peacekeeping forces and providing security guarantees to Ukraine, but excludes a direct role in the United States. This makes Turkey’s proposal to help monitor a potential truce critically important for ease of burden on European allies, including the United Kingdom and France, which develop plans for peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. Bloomberg sources have stated that Turkey would not participate in any peacekeeping mission unless it is involved in all consultations and preparations for its formation. Erdogan maintained close ties with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and used its ability to speak with both countries to play a central role in negotiations on the Black Sea corridor to export Ukrainian grain, although Russia refused this agreement in 2023. Russia did not answer Turkey to the question of peacekeepers in Ukraine, although this topic was discussed with Lavrov during his recent visit, a person close to the Russian government said. According to the interlocutor, this issue is not considered as a primary issue. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to a comment request. Zelensky told journalists in Ankara on February 18 that peace “is possible only when negotiations will be honest and Ukraine, America and the whole of Europe will be represented at the negotiation table.” On Monday, Erdogan spoke of Turkey’s military power and potential to strengthen Europe’s security, saying that a long -standing desire to join the European Union would benefit all parties. “Only Turkey’s full membership in the block can save the European Union from the dead end, from the economy to defense, from policy to international reputation,” Erdogan said.