Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, at the end of a joint news conference following their meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, early on July 8, 2023 [Francisco Seco/AP Photo]
Metropolis Desk-
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president of Turkey, said he supports Ukraine’s desire to join NATO, but he also called for a “return to peace efforts” to put an end to the conflict, which has already lasted 500 days since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.
In a joint press conference with the president of Ukraine early on Saturday in Istanbul, Erdogan stated that there is “no doubt” that Ukraine deserves membership in NATO and suggested that the two parties resume their peace negotiations.
The Turkish president is quoted as saying, “A just peace creates no losers,” by the news agency Reuters.
Before a significant NATO conference that will begin on Tuesday in Vilnius, Lithuania, Zelenskyy thanked Erdogan for his support.
“I appreciate the support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The formula for world peace. Regarding his discussions with Erdogan, the Ukrainian president tweeted, “Protection of our countries, our people, and our interests.”
The president of Ukraine has made a strong case for his beleaguered nation’s inclusion in the Western military alliance, claiming that Ukraine has emerged as Europe’s final line of defense against Russian invasion.
Before the NATO summit on July 11–12, Zelenskyy traveled to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Bulgaria to rally support for Ukraine’s application to join the military alliance.
He obtained support for Ukraine’s participation in NATO “as soon as the war is over” in Prague and “as soon as conditions allow” in Sofia.
Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, also reiterated his belief that Ukraine would join the alliance.
The timetable for Ukraine’s membership is still up in the air, though.
Asserting that this week’s conference will not result in an invitation to join NATO, the United States crushed Ukraine’s hopes of a speedy membership on Friday.
Although the Vilnius meeting “will be an important moment on that pathway towards membership,” Ukraine still needs to take “further steps before membership in NATO,” according to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
The issue of Ukraine joining NATO and under what conditions has been discussed by NATO members. Germany and other member nations insist on several requirements, including civilian and democratic control of the military.
This extends the number of months that people can celebrate their marriage, kids, and grandchildren.
The timetable for Ukraine’s membership is still up in the air, though.
Asserting that this week’s conference will not result in an invitation to join NATO, the United States crushed Ukraine’s hopes of a speedy membership on Friday.
Although the Vilnius meeting “will be an important moment on that pathway towards membership,” Ukraine still needs to take “further steps before membership in NATO,” according to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
The issue of Ukraine joining NATO and under what conditions has been discussed by NATO members. Germany and other member nations insist on several requirements, including civilian and democratic control of the military.
Exactly what Ukraine will receive at the summit in the capital of Lithuania is still unknown, and Zelenskyy has admitted that Kyiv is unlikely to be able to join NATO while at war with Russia.
Exactly what Ukraine will receive at the summit in the capital of Lithuania is still unknown, and Zelenskyy has admitted that Kyiv is unlikely to be able to join NATO while at war with Russia.
The Kremlin, which has attempted to end its diplomatic isolation by forging close ties with Turkish President Erdogan, was keenly monitoring Zelenskyy’s discussions in Turkey.
While significantly increasing trade with Russia during the conflict and supplying Ukraine with drones and other weapons that helped prevent Kremlin forces from capturing Kyiv in the early weeks of the conflict, Erdogan has attempted to project himself as a neutral mediator between Kyiv and Moscow.
Erdogan restated his long-standing urge for the two sides to engage in peace talks, but by unambiguously endorsing Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO, Erdogan ran the danger of angering Putin.
Erdogan declared that Putin will travel to Turkey the next month and that he and the Russian leader will talk about potential prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, something Erdogan has previously assisted in arranging.
Erdogan added that he will press Putin to uphold a deal that was reached between Turkey and the UN last year that allowed Ukraine to export grain from ports around the Black Sea to the world market.
If Russia declines to approve its extension, the agreement will expire on July 17.
Source- Al Jazeera
