ANKARA

The Turkish and Ukrainian presidents on Thursday discussed bilateral relations, the Ukraine-Russia peace process, and regional and global issues over the phone.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ankara is closely monitoring the contacts in Alaska and Washington, DC, according to a statement released on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal by the Turkish Directorate of Communications.

Erdogan “emphasized that Türkiye continues its efforts to ensure that the war ends with a lasting peace,” the statement said, adding “He also noted that with the establishment of peace, Türkiye will continue to contribute to Ukraine’s security.”

He also “underlined that a fair solution to the Ukraine-Russia war is possible, stressing the need to strengthen negotiations between the two sides, and expressed Türkiye’s readiness to do its utmost to facilitate high-level contacts that would pave the way for peace.”

Erdogan also congratulated Ukraine on its Independence Day during the call, said the directorate.