Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Wednesday, with both leaders voicing support for reviving the Istanbul peace process and strengthening cooperation on defence, diplomacy and prisoner exchanges.

The talks were held at the Presidential Complex in the Turkish capital, followed by a joint news conference where Erdoğan said Türkiye believes the Istanbul process should be relaunched within a comprehensive framework capable of addressing the now-acute challenges of the war.

He stressed that Türkiye remains ready to discuss with Russia any proposals that could speed up a ceasefire and open a path to a just and lasting peace. Erdoğan recalled that Istanbul hosted multiple rounds of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations, including sessions that secured progress on humanitarian issues and enabled direct discussion of ceasefire mechanisms.

Zelenskyy backs relaunch and praises Türkiye’s principled stance

Zelenskyy said he supports reviving the Istanbul track, noting that diplomatic efforts have accelerated as Kyiv works with partners to secure long-term security guarantees and move closer to urgent peace. He thanked Türkiye for what he described as its principled stance against Russian aggression and for its continued support for Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.

“Our meeting was comprehensive and productive. We value the trust between our countries, and Türkiye’s appreciation of Ukraine is very important for us,” he said. Zelenskyy added that Ankara’s cooperation “helps our lives” and plays a direct role in Ukraine’s defence needs.

Ukraine highlights deadly Russian attacks across multiple cities

The Ukrainian president also highlighted the scale of recent Russian attacks, saying missiles and drones had struck residential buildings across several regions, killing civilians in Ternopil, Kharkiv and other areas. He reiterated that Ukraine’s self-defence is its legitimate right and that Russia must understand there can be no reward for killing civilians or prolonging the war.

Defence industry cooperation set to expand

Both leaders discussed plans to expand defence industry cooperation, with teams on both sides preparing to advance joint production projects. Zelenskyy said coordination with partners—including Türkiye—is central to securing long-term peace and preventing future conflicts in the region.

Prisoner exchanges remain key focus of Ankara’s mediation

Ankara’s mediation role featured prominently in the meeting. Zelenskyy voiced hope that Ukraine and Russia could restart prisoner exchanges before the end of the year, noting that Türkiye provides significant support in these efforts. He said Kyiv also aims to secure the return of Ukrainian civilian detainees, Crimean Tatar political prisoners and children taken from occupied territories.

“We trust the strength of Turkish diplomacy and its ability to be understood in Moscow,” he said, adding that Türkiye’s engagement in the Naval Coalition of Volunteers, especially its maritime component, remains vital for regional security.

Erdoğan urges constructive support from international partners

Erdoğan said rising civilian casualties and attacks on energy infrastructure make renewed diplomacy urgent. He urged all international partners seeking an end to the bloodshed to take a constructive approach towards the Istanbul process.

Past Istanbul rounds brought humanitarian gains but no breakthrough

Russian and Ukrainian delegations last met in Istanbul in July, resulting in a prisoner exchange but no breakthrough on ending the conflict. Türkiye maintains ties with both sides and is seen as one of the few countries capable of facilitating meaningful dialogue.

Zelenskyy vows to intensify diplomacy after Ankara talks

Zelenskyy closed the news conference by thanking Türkiye once more, noting that earlier rounds of Istanbul talks had already helped secure the return of more than two thousand Ukrainian soldiers. He said Kyiv intends to intensify diplomatic efforts in the coming months as it pushes for a just and lasting settlement.

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