Turkish President Recep Erdogan on Friday threw his support behind a call by Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky for an aerial and sea truce in the Ukraine war.
Erdogan told an online meeting organised by the European Union that Turkey supports the idea of establishing a ceasefire as soon as possible, alongside stopping attacks in the air and at sea, in other to build confidence between the affected parties.
The Turkish president, whose country has twice hosted Ukraine-Russia talks at the start of the war, also said both sides must be seated at the table for any peace negotiations to work.
His statement came shortly after the Ukrainian president repeated his demand for silence in the skies and also silence at sea, on X following a massive Russian attack on the country’s energy grid.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said London and Paris were proposing a one-month truce in Ukraine in the air, at sea and on energy infrastructure.
Reports have it that NATO member Turkey has sought to maintain good relations with both of its Black Sea neighbours since the Russian invasion three years ago and has twice hosted direct talks aimed at ending the war.
9News Nigeria reports that some of his words were; “Our efforts to reach an agreement that will guarantee the safety of navigation in the Black Sea align with this approach,” he said.
“Today, we draw attention to the importance of a solid diplomatic ground where both warring parties will be at the table for a just, lasting and honourable peace,” he said
