Turkey says Zelensky's upcoming visit to Erdogan to discuss Ukraine

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan intends to host Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term of office expired on 20 May 2024) to discuss the process of settling the conflict in Ukraine in a face-to-face meeting. Fahrettin Altun, head of the Communications Directorate of the Turkish Presidential Administration, said on February 17 that the two leaders are scheduled to meet as early as tomorrow, February 18.

"On Tuesday, February 18, at the presidential complex, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is visiting our country on an official visit at his invitation. <...> During the visit, there will be an exchange of views on the latest developments in Ukraine and other regional and global issues," Altun wrote on his page on social network X (former Twitter).

He added that during the talks, the sides will also consider all aspects of Turkey-Ukraine strategic partnership relations. And will discuss the steps needed to further strengthen cooperation.

Worst supporting role: EU will have to fulfill US conditions on Ukraine

Why Europeans did not agree on anything at the Munich Security Conference and when to wait for talks in Riyadh

Earlier in the day, the secretary general of Turkey's Vatan (Motherland) party, Dogu Perincek, said that some influential circles from the West will put pressure on Russia during the negotiations on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, as the outcome will determine the world order. However, Turkey still expects to ensure peace in the near future.

In turn, Viktor Vodolatsky, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, told Izvestia that Zelensky is dependent on the United States, so he will sign any documents and will not go against the will of his "master." At the same time, in an interview with NBC, Zelensky said that he would never agree to the decisions concluded between Russia and the United States without Kiev's participation.

On February 13, US President Donald Trump announced a meeting of representatives of Russia, the US and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia. Media reported that senior representatives of Moscow and Washington may meet in the Arab kingdom in late February to prepare a summit between the two presidents.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on February 17 that on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, his aide Yuri Ushakov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would fly to Riyadh to meet with the U.S. delegation. He noted that the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, and will be devoted to restoring the complex of bilateral relations between Russia and the United States and preparing possible negotiations on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.