Turkish president says there is “almost a consensus” on the majority of issues that are needed for the warring nations to call a cease-fire.
QUICK FACTS:
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Thursday that Russia and Ukraine are “almost” in agreement on 4 out of the 6 key issues that the nations are negotiating.
- Fox News reported that the Turkish leader says President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are nearing “censuses” on the bulk of issues following the start of diplomatic talks in Turkey.
- The Turkish president said that talks will continue and that the warring leaders were close to a decision on NATO, disarmament, collective security, and Russian as the official language in technical infrastructure in Belarus.
- The issue of Crimea and Donbas is reportedly still an issue of dissent, according to Turkey’s leader.
SUBHEADING 2:
- “We will continue our talks with both Mr. Putin and Mr. Zelensky from now on as well,” Erdoğan said, according to his presidential office. “All our efforts aim to create an atmosphere of peace by bringing together the two leaders.”
- “As is known, there is almost a consensus regarding such issues as NATO, disarmament, collective security, and using Russian as the official language in the technical infrastructure works during the ongoing process in Belarus,” the Turkish president added. “However, there is the issue of Crimea and Donbas, which is impossible for Ukraine to consent to.”
- “I think Mr. Zelensky has displayed wise leadership with an understanding to take the issue to referendum by saying ‘That is a decision that must be made by the entire Ukrainian people,'” Erdoğan added.
BACKGROUND:
- The most recent round of peace talks comes after Zelenskyy said just days ago that he believes World War III is imminent if the peace talks fail.
- Zelensky also told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria in an interview that he has been ready to negotiate for years but according to The New York Post, he is unwilling to give up any Ukrainian territories to Russia.
