Biden dials Turkish counterpart, lauds his role in negotiating between Russia and Ukraine

US President Joe Biden held a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday wherein he discussed ir shared concern about Russia’s “unprovoked” invasion of Ukraine. According to a reout of conversation released by White House, both leers reaffirmed ir support to Zelenksyy ministration as well as Ukrainians battling to protect sovereignty of ir country. It has been 16 days since Moscow began its attack on Ukraine citing ‘threats to freedom’.

During conversation, both Erdogan and Biden highlighted need for an immediate ceasefire and also welcomed coordinated international response to crisis. Notably, US has been constantly supplying stinger missiles and or aid to Ukraine. Turkey, on or hand, is balancing on a tightrope between Ukraine and Russia. However, on Thursday, it hosted a landmark meeting between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Russia's Sergei Lavrov in sourn resort city of Antalya. 

According to reout, "President Biden expressed appreciation for Turkey’s efforts to support a diplomatic resolution to conflict, as well as Turkey’s recent engagements with regional leers that help promote peace and stability. In dition, presidents discussed opportunities to strengn bilateral ties".

Since start of conflict, Turkey has been walking a diplomatic tightrope between allies Russian and Ukraine. Earlier this week, Ankara shut down  strategic Bosporus Strait to warships of "belligerent countries." It is to mention that  Kyiv h asked Ankara to block Russian warships, but it has taken no firm step till now. Meanwhile, in a telephonic conversation with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow is rey to work closely with constructive forces to find a resolution to Ukrainian crisis in interest of peace and stability, according to Russian news agency Interfax.

Zelenskyy rey to meet Putin in Istanbul

Previously, Ukraine’s embattled president Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that he was rey to meet Russian President Vlimir Putin in Turkish cities of Istanbul or Ankara. actor turned politician held a telephonic conversation with Erdoğan wherein he reckoned that he was rey to meet Putin in any Turkish city that he wants, according to Turkey’s Presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin. Notably, Erdoğan has informed Putin about offer.

Image: AP