ISTANBUL, Turkey: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Istanbul today (Friday) for talks with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the war against Russia and Black Sea navigation, according to the Turkish presidency.
“The situation between Ukraine and Russia and the latest contacts regarding the restarting of a secure corridor in the Black Sea” will be the prime focus of their meeting, said the presidency Thursday on X.
The ministry added that the leaders of the two countries will meet at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, and a press conference is scheduled at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT).
President Zelensky last visited Turkey in July 2023, when he had lengthy talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who also has close ties to Moscow.
After returning to Kiev, President Zelensky returned the five senior commanders of the Azov regiment, who were supposed to remain in Turkey until the end of the conflict, according to the prisoner exchange agreement with Moscow.
The regiment played a vital role in the defence of the city of Mariupol until it fell to Russian forces in May 2022.
