The presidents of Türkiye and Ukraine will focus on on Friday the potential extension of the Black Sea grain deal and a potential prisoner alternate between Moscow and Kyiv, a senior Turkish official mentioned forward of the talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet Turkish chief Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul following visits to Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, a part of a tour of some NATO capitals geared toward encouraging them to take concrete steps at a summit subsequent week in direction of granting Kyiv membership of the alliance.
A key component of Zelenskiy’s talks in Istanbul would be the destiny of a deal, brokered final 12 months by Türkiye and the United Nations, to permit for the secure export of grain from Ukrainian ports through the Black Sea regardless of the battle raging throughout Ukraine.
Russia, offended about elements of the grain deal’s implementation, has threatened to not enable its additional extension past July 17.
As properly because the grain deal and a potential prisoner swap, Erdoğan and Zelenskiy may also focus on efforts to finish the battle in Ukraine, the senior Turkish official mentioned.
Türkiye, a NATO member, has managed to retain cordial relations with each Russia and Ukraine over the previous 16 months of the battle and final 12 months it helped to dealer prisoner exchanges.
Erdoğan and Zelenskiy are scheduled to carry a press convention at 1800 GMT on Friday.
The Turkish official mentioned Erdoğan may maintain a cellphone name with Russian President Vladimir Putin following his talks with Zelenskiy. A Turkish minister might additionally go to Moscow for additional discussions, the official added.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
