Turkey will support the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told President Volodymyr Zelensky during a one-on-one meeting in Istanbul on April 10.
Over the course of three hours, the leaders discussed Ukraine’s NATO membership, the de-occupation of Crimea, Turkey’s support of Crimean Tatars, and the rising tension in Russian-occupied Donbas. They also talked about joint infrastructure projects, tourism and free trade. It was their second meeting since Oct. 16.
Erdogan said he’s concerned about the Kremlin’s massive military buildup close to Ukraine’s eastern border and in occupied Crimea and hopes that the conflict will be resolved peacefully.
“We hope for the worrying escalation observed on the field recently to end as soon as possible, the ceasefire to continue and for the conflict to be resolved via dialogue on the basis of the Minsk agreements,” Erdogan said. “We are ready to provide any support necessary for this.”
Read More: The 20-point declaration issued after the April 10 meeting between Zelensky and Erdogan
Erdogan said that Turkey wants to help Ukraine fight terrorism, separatism and extremism. Turkey is also interested in expanding defense cooperation with Ukraine. However, Erdogan added that this is “in no way a move against any third country.”
Earlier on April 9, Erdogan had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the conversation, Putin accused Ukraine of “dangerous provocative actions” in Donbas.
“In an ideal world, Turkey should remain neutral (in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia). Otherwise, a serious crisis with Russia is likely to emerge,” said Aydin Sezer, an expert on Russia-Turkey relations in the interview with media outlet Arab News.
De-occupation of Crimea
Turkey has criticized Russia for annexing Crimea in 2014.
During his last meeting with Zelensky, Erdogan discussed the de-occupation of the peninsula and said that Turkey is ready to join the newly created Crimean Platform, an initiative that aims to achieve the de-occupation by diplomatic means.
Turkey will help Ukraine protect human rights in Donbas and release illegally detained Crimean Tatars, Zelensky said. However, he didn’t mention how the countries are going to achieve that.
Turkey will support Crimean Tatars who lost their homes after the annexation. To do that, the country will build 500 apartments for Crimean Tatars in Mykolayiv, Kherson and Kyiv, Zelensky said.
NATO membership
Turkey, a NATO member, supports Ukraine’s bid to join the alliance.
Turkey believes that this will ensure stability in the Black Sea region.
Ukraine has talked about NATO membership since 2002 and participated in NATO-led operations but is still not a member and likely won’t be for perhaps another decade or more, experts think.
In spring 2021, NATO will review its 2030 roadmap and may develop a membership action plan for Ukraine.
Free trade and infrastructure
Zelensky revisited the topic of free trade between Turkey and Ukraine. The two countries have discussed a free trade deal for years but have so far failed to agree on specifics.
In 2020, Ukraine imported $2.41 billion worth of goods from Turkey and exported $2.43 billion. The countries have a goal to double trade turnover to $10 billion per year.
Ukraine also wants to work with Turkey on joint infrastructure projects, especially building roads.
“Turkish roads are among the best in the world so the country’s experience will give a boost to Ukraine’s Big Construction program,” Zelensky said.
According to nonprofit Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, two Turkish firms were among the top five contractors for Ukraine’s infrastructure projects in the first six months of 2020.
Apart from roads, Zelensky also encourages Turkey to invest in local airports and take part in seaport concessions.
“There are many opportunities to deepen Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation and the desire to do that is resolute and mutual,” Zelensky said.
“The interests of our countries coincide in many areas, and the leaders of Ukraine and Turkey try to get the most out of our strategic partnership,” Andriy Yermak, the head of the President’s office, said in a statement.
