Türkiye may observe Black Sea cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine, Zelenskyy says
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) shake hands as they hold joint press conference following their bilateral and inter-delegation meetings at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Türkiye on February 18, 2025 (AA Photo)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Türkiye could serve as an observer in the Black Sea ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, aimed at ensuring safe maritime navigation and halting attacks on energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy discusses cease-fire and Türkiye’s role
In a press conference following separate meetings with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy revealed that an agreement had been reached to ensure the safety of maritime navigation in the Black Sea and to halt attacks on energy infrastructure.
He indicated that the agreement was effective immediately, but expressed concerns over Russia’s possible manipulation of the terms.
“The U.S. side believes that these agreements are now in effect. However, I do not trust Russia to comply with these arrangements,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine’s strong response to Russian violations
Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine would do everything possible to uphold the agreements, but warned that Russia’s continued attacks would provoke a “strong response” from Ukraine.
He also revealed that during discussions, Ukrainian officials provided a list of energy infrastructure facilities that should not be targeted under the ceasefire agreement.
“The U.S. side has helped include a clause regarding the resumption of Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports to global markets, but this was not added to the written statement on Ukraine. We believe this weakens sanctions and our position,” he added.
Türkiye’s role as observer
Zelenskyy also mentioned that Türkiye could play a role as an observer in the Black Sea ceasefire, a position he described as critical to ensuring the success of the agreement.
He noted that while Middle Eastern countries could potentially participate in monitoring the ceasefire concerning energy infrastructure, discussions with these nations had not yet occurred.
In addition to the maritime ceasefire, Zelenskyy indicated that the U.S. had presented a draft for an expanded agreement on Ukraine’s access to precious minerals. However, he stated that he had not yet had a chance to review the details of the draft.
Türkiye’s stance on peace and stability
In a separate live broadcast, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz expressed Türkiye’s consistent stance in favor of peace, stability, and dialogue in global conflicts, including the Ukraine-Russia war.
He stated, “Türkiye is a country that advocates peace, stability, and the search for compromise in conflicts.”
Yılmaz also addressed issues regarding CAATSA sanctions and the F-35 program, reiterating that Türkiye does not support sanctions between NATO allies and believes these sanctions should be lifted. He added, “When the opportunity arises, all these issues will be discussed.”
On relations with the European Union, Yilmaz affirmed that EU membership remains a strategic goal for Türkiye.
He also reiterated Ankara’s support for a two-state solution in Cyprus, emphasizing that such a solution would contribute to stability and security on the island.
