Zelenskyy highlights Türkiye as key security partner, ready to ratify free trade agreement

Reuters

President Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine’s readiness to ratify a free trade agreement with Türkiye, calling it a key security partner during talks in Kyiv on reconstruction and drone production.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that Ukraine views Türkiye as a partner in providing security guarantees, adding that Kyiv is ready to ratify a free trade agreement between the two nations.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO member Türkiye has balanced its relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, offering military support to Ukraine and backing its territorial integrity, while refraining from joining sanctions against Russia.

As Europe strives to strengthen its own defence and security, while seeking assurances for Kyiv in any potential ceasefire deal with Moscow, Türkiye has emerged as a key security partner.

On Thursday, Zelenskyy met Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Yumakli in Kyiv, where they discussed bilateral relations, cooperation in drone production, and the involvement of Turkish firms in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.

"It is important that Turkish businesses are already operating in Ukraine. Our country appreciates this, along with Türkiye's support, especially in supplying Bayraktar drones," Zelenskyy stated on X.

"Ukraine considers Türkiye one of its strategic partners, including in terms of security guarantees, and is prepared to ratify the Free Trade Agreement with Türkiye during President (Tayyip) Erdogan's forthcoming visit," he added, without specifying the date of the visit.

Bolat and Yumakli also participated in the inaugural meeting of a task force between Türkiye and Ukraine for the country’s post-war reconstruction.

Bolat shared on X that the meeting included over 20 companies from Türkiye's contracting and technical consultancy sectors, as well as Ukrainian representatives from both the public and private sectors involved in the reconstruction. He said Turkish contractors were eager to share their expertise for future projects.

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