Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has mentioned that Ukraine and Russia have reached an understanding on 4 of the six foremost matters of disagreement, together with NATO, partial disarmament, collective safety and Russian language, bringing the 2 warring international locations a step nearer to resolving the battle.

Ragıp Soylu, Turkey bureau chief of Center East Eye, reported the information in a tweet on Friday. Nevertheless, there may be nonetheless no settlement on Crimea and Donbas, two jap areas of Ukraine that Russia sees as its personal territory. In 2014, Russian troops annexed Crimea earlier than claiming it as Russian land.

Newsweek has contacted the ministries of overseas affairs of each Russia and Ukraine for touch upon the peace talks.

Turkey has been in touch with the negotiating groups from the 2 international locations. The NATO member shares a maritime border with Ukraine and Russia within the Black Sea and has a robust relationship with each states. Though it has imposed some sanctions on Moscow for the reason that conflict began on February 24, it has additionally supplied to mediate the battle.

Erdogan was talking at a press convention following the extraordinary summit of NATO leaders on Thursday and Friday.

"We'll proceed our talks with each Mr. Putin and Mr. Zelensky to any extent further as properly," Erdoğan mentioned, in accordance with a press release from his workplace. "All our efforts intention to create an environment of peace by bringing collectively the 2 leaders."

"As is understood, there may be nearly a consensus concerning such points as NATO, disarmament, collective safety and utilizing Russian as official language within the technical infrastructure works through the ongoing course of in Belarus," Erdogan added. "Nevertheless, there may be the problem of Crimea and Donbas, which is unattainable for Ukraine to consent to."

The Turkish chief known as Ukrainian chief Volodymyr Zelensky's transfer on Monday to declare that Ukrainian compromises with Russia will probably be selected by a referendum was "clever management."

"Turkey's robust assist for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty since 2014 is understood by everybody. We have now said at each alternative that we by no means have and by no means will acknowledge Crimea's annexation, and we proceed to take action," Erdogan mentioned.

"The destruction and humanitarian tragedy attributable to the conflict are evident. The war-torn cities, hospitals, faculties and homes which have practically become wrecks, and weeping refugees, who packed all their belongings in a single suitcase, have all reminded us as soon as once more of the bitter face of wars."

Erdogan is because of inform Russian President Vladimir Putin: "Make an honorable exit in Ukraine and grow to be an architect of peace," Soylu reported.

The Turkish president met with U.S. counterpart Joe Biden and different NATO leaders in Brussels on Thursday to debate additional sanctions on Russia and bolstering the alliance's jap flank. Biden will journey to a Polish city close to the border of Ukraine in a while Friday to indicate solidarity and present Western resolve towards the Russian invasion.

Putin and Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has mentioned that Ukraine and Russia reached an understanding on 4 of the six matters of disagreement, together with NATO, partial disarmament, collective safety and Russian languageGetty