Ukraine expects security guarantees from US, EU, Türkiye: President Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the inauguration of Ukraine’s new embassy service building in Ankara on Tuesday, using the occasion to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace and the need for robust security guarantees.

In a social media post on X, Zelenskyy said, “At the beginning of our visit to Türkiye, we honored the memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the country’s first president, whose legacy remains an important part of Türkiye’s history and values.”

Ukraine seeks security commitments

Speaking at the embassy opening ceremony, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine wants an end to the war but requires strong security assurances from international partners.

“As a nation, we desire peace and want this war to end,” Zelenskyy stated.

“However, this must be based on firm security guarantees. We want these assurances to be provided by the United States, the European Union, Türkiye, and all of Europe,” he added.

Zelenskyy: Ukraine will not compromise on territorial integrity

During a press conference at the Ukrainian Embassy, Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would never compromise on its territorial integrity.

“I cannot act against the Ukrainian Constitution,” he said. “We will never recognize our temporarily occupied territories as part of Russia. They are and will remain part of Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine prefers to reclaim occupied territories through diplomatic means rather than military confrontation.

“We do not want to lose our people; our people are our greatest treasure,” he emphasized.

Türkiye’s role in mediation and grain exports

Zelenskyy praised Türkiye’s role in diplomatic efforts and humanitarian assistance, highlighting its contributions to the now-defunct grain corridor initiative.

“Thanks to Türkiye’s efforts, we were able to establish the grain corridor,” he said. “Unfortunately, due to Russian interference, this corridor was disrupted, preventing much-needed supplies from reaching those in need.”

The Ukrainian president acknowledged the global impact of the corridor’s disruption, particularly in food-insecure regions like Africa and Syria.

Ukraine calls for Türkiye’s role in peace process

Zelenskyy expressed concern over Ukraine’s exclusion from certain international negotiations between Russia and Western countries, stating that Kyiv would not accept any settlement that did not involve Ukrainian representation.

“We do not recognize any ultimatums,” he said, referencing past negotiations in Türkiye and Belarus that failed to yield agreements. “If Türkiye can provide Ukraine with the necessary security guarantees, we would welcome its involvement in the peace process.”

Prisoner exchanges and Crimea

Zelenskyy also addressed the issue of Ukrainian political prisoners in Crimea, stating that Ukraine is actively working to secure their release with support from Türkiye and Qatar.

“This is a very difficult process,” he noted. “Russia does not want to return our people, but we continue to look for ways to bring them back.”

The Ukrainian president also revealed that he had recently spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron about potential European security guarantees for Ukraine.

He indicated that military and financial aid, including possible troop deployments, were among the topics discussed.

Ukraine-Türkiye relations, diplomatic engagement

Zelenskyy’s visit to Türkiye include discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on strategic issues, including security and economic cooperation.

He underlined Ukraine’s appreciation for Türkiye’s mediation in prisoner exchanges and broader peace efforts.

The opening of the new embassy was described as a significant milestone in Ukraine-Türkiye relations. The event was attended by Ukrainian officials, members of the Crimean Tatar diaspora, and representatives from Türkiye’s diplomatic community.

Symbolic importance of embassy opening

Zelenskyy remarked on the symbolism of the new embassy, stating, “This building represents Ukraine’s presence and commitment. When I was presented with the project, I immediately supported it.”

The new embassy will be overseen by Ukraine’s newly appointed ambassador to Türkiye, Neriman Celal, following efforts by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister and former Ankara Ambassador Andrii Sybiha.