Zelenskyy, Erdoğan Discuss Security Guarantees, Russian Strikes

Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call to discuss bilateral relations, the Ukraine-Russia peace process, and wider regional and global issues, Orda.kz reports, citing Ukrinform.

Zelenskyy said the conversation focused extensively on security guarantees, noting that Ukraine’s national security advisors are finalizing details of a framework that should be put to paper next week.

According to him, Erdoğan pledged to involve Türkiye’s defense minister in the process to explore ways Ankara could help strengthen security, particularly in the Black Sea.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the current situation and potential next steps in diplomacy.

Ukraine is ready to engage in the format of leaders, as this is the only effective format. Unfortunately, Russia avoids this and continues its war, Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president underscored the scale of Russia’s overnight strikes; more than 30 missiles and nearly 600 drones were launched. The strikes killed 17 people, including four children, while many others remain in critical condition.

There were strikes on a Turkish enterprise, the Embassy of Azerbaijan, the EU Delegation, the British Council, and residential areas. This is Putin’s response to all the efforts by Ukraine, the United States, and our European partners to stop the killings. That is why pressure is needed — through sanctions, tariffs, and political measures. We are counting on strong steps,  Zelenskyy emphasized.

Türkiye’s Presidential Directorate of Communications confirmed the conversation in a post on X.

The statement said Erdoğan reaffirmed his country’s readiness to contribute to Ukraine’s security once peace is established, while also stressing the need for continued dialogue.

He called a “just resolution of the conflict” possible and said Türkiye would do everything it could to facilitate high-level contacts to advance peace.

As previously reported, Zelenskyy believes a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump could take place in a neutral European country — such as Switzerland, Austria, or Türkiye.