Erdoğan Supports Ukraine's Territorial Integrity as Trump Ignores Kyiv's Concerns About Er-Riyadh Talks

Turkish President Erdoğan declared support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ankara, Orda reports.

Erdoğan stated that Türkiye would be an ideal host for potential peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, offering "all possible support" for negotiations leading to lasting peace.

In order for a just peace to be possible, the countries that we know to be powerful must show their attitude in favor of peace, Erdoğan said.

He added that Turkish companies stand ready to help rebuild Ukraine once hostilities end.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump ignored Kyiv's concerns about Ukraine's exclusion from the Er-Riyadh peace negotiations between the United States and Russia.

When asked about Ukraine's complaints, Trump responded:

Today I heard, 'oh, we weren't invited.' Well you've been there for three years, you should have ended it... you should have never started it. You could have made a deal. 

Trump expressed satisfaction with the initial dialogue and didn't rule out meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of the month. Whether the meeting will occur in this timeframe is still uncertain.

Former White House National Security Council spokesperson under Joe Biden, Sean Savett, accused Trump of "buying into Putin's propaganda," emphasizing that "Russia bears responsibility for continuing this war."

Savett reminded us that Russia initiated the conflict by invading Ukraine and committing war crimes against Ukrainians.

Trump criticized Biden's support for Ukraine, including weapons deliveries to counter Russian aggression, claiming he has "the strength to end this war."

He also called for elections in Ukraine.

Trump added that while the U.S. would support the peace process, "the main responsibility should lie with Europe."

The U.S. President expressed no objection to potential European peacekeepers in Ukraine.

European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are discussing peacekeeping deployment, though Germany and Italy remain hesitant without a concrete peace agreement.

France is now organizing a second emergency meeting on Ukraine for countries excluded from the first summit.

According to Reuters, representatives from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Romania, Greece, and Canada have been invited to tomorrow's meeting, with some joining via videoconference.

Zelenskyy has postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia, scheduled for February 19, stating he "doesn't want coincidences" as he's uncertain which Russian and American delegation members might remain in the country after talks.