Overview
- Andriy Yermak called the Ankara talks productive, citing Turkey’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and right to self‑defense alongside plans to expand defense cooperation and joint production.
- Discussion included Black Sea security with a call for stronger Turkish involvement in the naval component of the Coalition of the Willing.
- Leaders prioritized restoring prisoner exchanges and returning Ukrainian civilians held by Russia, with emphasis on Mariupol defenders, including Azov members, and abducted children.
- Zelensky did not meet U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in Turkey, after Axios reported he postponed his trip, a detail later echoed by a diplomatic source cited by Radio Svoboda.
- Financial Times and Reuters reported a U.S.-drafted peace proposal that would require significant Ukrainian concessions on territory, troop levels and weapon supplies; Kyiv and the White House have not publicly commented, as Germany and the UK vowed continued support and tougher sanctions on Russia.