Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey on 7 July. During a joint press conference, the Turkish leader said that our country deserved to be a NATO member and promised Kyiv further support.

The briefing is being broadcast by the Office of the President of Ukraine on Youtube (please scroll to the bottom of the page to see the video).

Erdogan said that Turkey continues to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine and is providing humanitarian and political aid to the country. Ankara is also making efforts to end the war "through negotiations."

He said he supports the extension of the "grain initiative" and that Ukraine deserves NATO membership.

Erdoğan stressed that "no one will lose from a just peace," and added that Turkey wants to end the war through negotiations with Ukraine's interests in mind.

He also announced Russian dictator Putin's visit to Turkey next month. Erdogan said he intended to discuss with him directly the exchange of prisoners and called it a priority issue.

Earlier, Zelensky said on Telegram that "very important talks" were planned with Erdogan. They concern security in Europe and the Black Sea region, as well as the Ukrainian formula for peace to end the war with Russia.

"Turkey. Meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Very important talks, concerning security both in our Black Sea region and in Europe as a whole. Grateful for the support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. The formula for peace. Protection of our countries, our people and interests. Also mentioned the summit in Vilnius, which is being prepared," he wrote.

The president added that he would discuss with his colleague the protection and development of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and further efforts for food security separately.

We note that according to Turkish media, Erdoğan may have a conversation with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin after his meeting with Zelensky.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, on Thursday Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Bulgaria, where he met with the head of government and the president of this country. Then the Ukrainian president went to Prague, and from there he left for Slovakia on July 7.

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