Erdogan announces a key conversation with Putin. The European Union is waiting for the results
During a press conference in Johannesburg, where the G20 summit was held, Erdogan expressed Turkey's determination to achieve peace in Ukraine. The Turkish president announced that after the conversation with Putin, he would report the course of the conversation to the leaders of the United States and the European Union.
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The President of Turkey will talk to Vladimir Putin about peace in Ukraine
The Black Sea Initiative, which was agreed in July 2022, allowed for the safe export of grain and fertilizers from Ukraine and Russia. However, after a year, Russia withdrew from the project, citing difficulties related to its own exports. Despite these obstacles, Ukraine managed to export over 90 million tons of goods by the end of 2024.
Erdogan, speaking earlier with French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasized the need to use all diplomatic means to end the conflict in Ukraine. According to the Turkish leader, the result of the actions should be a “just and lasting peace.”
Meanwhile, talks were held in Geneva between the delegations of Ukraine and the United States, in which representatives of France, Germany and Great Britain also participated. Their main topic was the 28-point peace plan presented by the US. The project includes, among others: handing over to Russia most of the Ukrainian territories occupied by the Russian army and parts of the Donetsk Oblast that remain under Ukrainian control. Moreover, the plan provides for Ukraine's resignation from NATO membership and limiting the number of its armed forces to 600,000. soldiers.
Read also: Media: Europe's response to the Ukraine peace plan does not include army restrictions
American proposal, European counter-proposal
European leaders, including France, Germany and Britain, considered the American proposal too far-reaching in terms of concessions to Russia. According to media reports, these countries have prepared their own counterproposal, which they have already forwarded to the authorities in Washington and Kiev. It cannot be ruled out that its assumptions will also be discussed during the talks in Geneva.
At the G20 summit in Johannesburg that ended on Sunday, European leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, issued a joint statement in response to the US plan. It emphasized that Ukraine has the inalienable right to actively participate in negotiations to end the war with Russia. On Monday, during the European Union-African Union summit in Luanda, the leaders of the 27 EU member states are to discuss the draft peace plan for Ukraine. Prime Minister Tusk declared his participation in these talks.
Read also: Geneva, the center of negotiations on Ukraine. Reuters: “The first talks were positive”
