Türkiye’s strategic location on the Black Sea and its control of the Bosphorus Strait gives it a unique military, political and economic role in the conflict.
In July 2022, Ankara with the United Nations brokered the Black Sea Grain deal, the most significant diplomatic agreement so far reached between Kyiv and Moscow.
Moscow ditched the initiative – which allowed the safe passage of Ukrainian agricultural exports across the mine-laden Black Sea – a year later, complaining that the terms were unfair.
Kyiv has since used an alternative shipping route hugging the coastline to avoid contested international waters.
Türkiye has been lobbying hard for an agreement to ensure cargo can once again navigate those waters in safety.
After a visit to Türkiye last year, Zelenskyy went home with five top commanders from the Azov regiment who were supposed to remain in Türkiye until the end of the conflict under a prisoner exchange deal with Moscow.
The Ukrainian leader will also visit shipyards where corvettes for his navy are being built and meet Turkish defence companies on Friday, Zelenskyy’s office said.
RUSSIAN TIES
Türkiye’s Western allies have expressed concern over its relations with Moscow. Ankara is reliant on Russian energy and has faced scrutiny as Russia seeks to avoid Western trading restrictions.
The United States has sanctioned several Turkish companies for helping Russia purchase goods that could be used by its armed forces.
The Erdogan-Zelenskyy meeting comes a week after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met his Turkish counterpart Fidan at a diplomatic forum in Antalya.
President Vladimir Putin was to visit Türkiye last month, but postponed the trip, according to Turkish and Russian media citing diplomatic sources.
The Kremlin has said it is rescheduling the visit, but has given no date.
Source: CNA
