Erdogan talks to Putin, raises Mariupol; Russian Prez assures military operations halted

Amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which is showing no signs of subsiding anytime soon, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart Vlimir Putin. Erdogan told Putin that Turkey will continue to do everything it can to help achieve long-term peace in Ukraine. Turkish leer also reiterated his suggestion to hold a meeting of presidents of Russian Federation and Ukraine in Istanbul. In dition, Erdogan also emphasised significance of a cease-fire and smooth operation of humanitarian corridors.

"Erdogan proposed taking Istanbul process to level of leers, a crucial threshold in Russia-Ukraine negotiations,"  Turkish president's office said in a statement, AP reported. During conversation, President Erdogan also stated that it is in common interest to maintain positive momentum gained in Istanbul negotiations to pave path for peace.  talks between Russia and Ukraine came to a halt after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian armed forces of committing war crimes. 

Mariupol fully liberated, no military activities taking place re: Putin tells Erdogan

In response to Erdogan's concern over situation in Mariupol, Russian President Putin stated that city h been liberated and that no military activities were taking place re. Kremlin said in a statement that Kyiv authorities should accept political responsibility for Ukrainian servicemen and militants of nationalist battalions stranded in Azovstal plant's complex and, guided by humanitarian considerations, compel m to lay down ir arms. Kremlin furr asserted that prisoners of war are guaranteed life, medical care and treatment as per international legal standards. 

Erdogan hopes to bring Putin and Zelenskyy to negotiating table

Earlier on Sunday, April 24, Erdogan spoke to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy during which latter stressed need for immediate "evacuation of civilians from Mariupol, including Azovstal, and also an immediate exchange of blocked troops." Meanwhile, Turkish President hoped to bring both Putin and Zelenskyy to negotiating table in an attempt to end war. Amid current humanitarian catastrophe, Ankara has been delicately balancing its relations with both of its allies - Kyiv and Moscow. Notably, Turkey has been treing a diplomatic tightrope between allies Russia and Ukraine since war began on February 24.

Russia-Ukraine War

It is pertinent to mention here that brutal war between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate and reached its 62nd day on Tuesday, April 26. Since onset of war, delegation of both countries has held several rounds of peace negotiations but y have failed to yield desired results. Meanwhile, Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has accused Ukraine of preparing provocations to blame Moscow and its armed forces.

Image: AP