Ukraine sees Turkiye as partner for security guarantees, president Zelensky says

Ukraine sees Turkiye as a viable partner for security guarantees, president Volodymyr Zelensky has announced.

On Thursday, a Turkish delegation – led by trade minister Omer Bolat and agriculture minister Ibrahim Yumaklı – met in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv for talks with the Ukrainian government on bilateral ties, cooperation in drone production, and the involvement of Turkish firms in the post-war reconstruction of the embattled country.

Talks also notably focused on the ratification of a free trade agreement between Ankara and Kyiv, with that reported aim including a $10 billion trade volume target.

Chaired by Ukrainian president Zelensky and attended by over 20 companies from Turkiye’s contracting and technical consultancy sectors alongside Ukrainian state and private sector representatives, the talks touched on the reconstruction of critical facilities including roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and water and electricity infrastructure.

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Following the talks, Zelensky stated on X that “It is important that Turkish businesses are already present in Ukraine. Our country appreciates this, as well as Türkiye’s support and assistance, particularly the supply of Bayraktar drones.”

The president announced that “we discussed efforts to bring a just and lasting peace closer, the development of bilateral relations, opportunities for cooperation in the production of various types of drones, and the participation of Turkish companies in Ukraine’s reconstruction.”

Highlighting the extent of Ankara’s ties with and support for Kyiv throughout its ongoing conflict against invading Russian forces, Zelensky affirmed that “Ukraine considers Türkiye one of its strategic partners, as well as a partner in terms of security guarantees, and is ready to ratify the Free Trade Agreement with Türkiye during President Erdoğan’s upcoming visit.”

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