Turkey says Putin's demands to recognize the "independence" of ORDLO and Crimea as Russian are unfeasible
Photo: ekathimerini.com
Vladimir Putin's demands to Ukraine to recognize the "independence" of ORDLO, and Crimea as Russian, are maximalist and can not be realized
This was stated by a spokesperson for Turkish President Ibrahim Kalin in a comment to CNN.
"These are red lines for Ukrainians in Crimea and Donbas, and rightly so, because they are directly related to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
We did not recognize the annexation of Crimea, like the rest of the world. Even China has not recognized the annexation of Crimea… They (the Russians) really need to formulate some other proposals," the spokesperson said.
Kalin also told CNN that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had sent a message to Moscow urging negotiating groups to resolve final issues before moving to a summit between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Vladimir Putin.
"President Zelenskyy is ready to meet with President Putin, President Putin has not yet agreed. And our president said: I am ready to promote the rapprochement of the two of you, in Turkey or elsewhere… We believe that only this meeting will end this war.
Of course, President Putin listens to President Erdogan, to his advice, to his ideas and suggestions.
From their point of view, it is understandable that they do not trust most NATO countries, they do not want to talk to them anymore, right or wrong.
But the reality is that someone has to talk to the Russian side, whom the Russians can also trust. Otherwise, this war can last for months, years, and the world can not afford another such protracted war, and, of course, we can not afford another Cold War," said Kalin.
To recap, Turkey acts as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
She has already held several meetings, including on March 10 between the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia.
The next round of talks between the two sides will take place on March 29 in the Turkish city of Istanbul.
