Erdoğan, Zelensky discuss grain deal, aid efforts over phone
"Türkiye continues efforts to meet humanitarian aid needs of Ukrainian people during difficult winter months," Erdoğan told Ukraine's Zelensky over the phone. Erdoğan added that the grain deal can be expanded to include different food products and other commodities, adding his hopes for a solution on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
- World
- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 07:31 | 11 December 2022
- Modified Date: 09:43 | 11 December 2022
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan talked with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky over phone on Sunday, the Directorate of Communications of the country said.
The two leaders talked about the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as other recent issues like humanitarian aid to the country and the grain deal.
"Türkiye continues efforts to meet humanitarian aid needs of Ukrainian people during difficult winter months," Erdoğan told Ukraine's Zelensky over the phone.
"Turkish first lady taking care of over 1,000 Ukrainian orphans and their companions in Ankara," Erdoğan said.
Erdoğan added that the grain deal can be expanded to include different food products and other commodities, adding his hopes for a solution on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which generated 20% of Ukraine's electricity before the Russia-Ukraine war started on Feb. 24.
Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed a landmark agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which had been paused due to the war that started in February.
Thanks to Turkish efforts, the landmark deal was extended for another 120 days, starting Nov. 19.
According to the statement, Erdoğan also said they are evaluating options to support the implementation of a 10-point peace plan announced by Zelenskyy at the G-20 summit in Bali last month.
Zelensky, for his part, thanked Erdoğan for sheltering Ukrainian children and providing hundreds of generators for cities amid blackouts due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
"Noted Türkiye's support for the Ukrainian #GrainfromUkraine initiative. Also discussed further work & possible expansion of the grain corridor," he said on Twitter.
Earlier on Sunday, Erdoğan also held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral issues, energy, fight against terrorism and the grain deal.
Türkiye, internationally praised for its mediator role between Ukraine and Russia, has repeatedly called on Kyiv and Moscow to end the war through negotiations.