Türkiye seeks to end war with focus on ‘Ukraine’s interests’

Türkiye seeks a swift end to the war based on respect for the “legitimate and legal interests of the Ukrainian people,” stated Basat Öztürk, Director General for International Security Affairs at Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on September 13 at a forum hosted by the Atlantic Council in Washington, Voice of America reports.

“We consider the whole Ukrainian people our sisters and brothers, and this why I really care about them wholeheartedly. So we do not want to prolong this war. Of course, this does not mean that Ukraine must surrender,” Ozturk said.

However, the end of the war must come through peace negotiations, the Turkish official added. “No war has continues forever. And the terms of the conclusion of peace of this war should also be, of course, respecting legitimate and legal interests of the Ukrainian people. But we have to understand that we need to have a balanced outcome of these peace talks,” he said.

Türkiye generally supports the core principles of its Western NATO allies regarding the region, including ensuring stability, deterring Russian aggression, and protecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

“[However, Türkiye] has balanced its strategic relations with Ukraine, including deep military cooperation, while maintaining economic ties with Russia,” said Defne Sadıklar Arslan, Senior Director at the Atlantic Council in Türkiye, during the forum.

At the Crimean Platform summit on September 11, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the return of Crimea to Ukraine is a “requirement of international law.” “Our support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence is unwavering,” Erdoğan emphasized.