Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the return of territories captured by Russia to Ukraine will facilitate the negotiation process to end the war.
He said this in an interview with the American PBS channel
The President of Turkey believes that after the successful counteroffensive of the Ukrainian army in the Kharkiv direction, Vladimir Putin is ready to end the war.
"In Uzbekistan, I met with President Putin and we had very extensive discussions with him. And he actually made it clear to me that he was ready to end it as soon as possible. I got this impression because the situation is developing quite problematically... I think that a significant step forward will be taken," Erdogan said.
He also added that the return of previously seized Ukrainian territories by Russia will facilitate the negotiation process.
This is what is needed and what is expected. In this matter, Mr. Guterres (UN Secretary General) has taken certain steps. There are steps we have taken. These steps and this return (of temporarily occupied territories) will really make our work easier," the Turkish leader explained.
He noted that Moscow's position has "special significance" in the issue of ending Russia's war against Ukraine.
"Here it is important that Ukraine shows the same understanding with Russia and from now on it is necessary to be mutually determined to stop these conflicts, this war," Erdogan said.
In addition, he reported on the agreements on the exchange of 200 prisoners reached between Moscow and Kyiv.
