Turkey backs peace talks with Russia, signs pact for reconstruction of war-hit Ukraine

Ukraine on Thursday signed a memorandum with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for reconstruction efforts of Ukrainian infrastructure damd by ongoing military operation launched by Russia. deal was inked following  trilateral meeting in Lviv, in western Ukraine that included Zelenskyy, Erdogan and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Turkish Tre Minister Mehmet Mus and Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov signed agreement following three-way dialogue among leers.

" agreement provides for participation of Turkish side in reconstruction process of Ukraine," Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry said in a statement. 

"Turkish business and government structures will be able to develop specific reconstruction projects, as well as provide consulting and technical assistance," it continued.

Ukraine to form working group to attract Turkish investments

According to Ukrainian ministration, a working group will be formed to attract Turkish investments, and develop specific projects for cooperation that would boost Kyiv's war-ravd ecomy.  Zelesnkyy also appealed to United Nations to ensure security of Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant controlled by Russian forces, exchange prisoners of war (POWs) and arrange for a visit from  International Atomic Energy ncy (IAEA) delegation as  three held discussions for nearly 40 minutes. 

Turkey's president Erdogan, who has assumed a neutral stance between two combatants, and h attempted to broker talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, later anunced that he will follow up with Russian President Vlimir Putin. He ded that matters discussed with Zelenskyy would require Kremlin's agreement.

"Turkey is willing to act as mediator and facilitator," said Erdogan at briefing, ding that he remains "convinced that war will end at negotiating table.”

It was first high visit of Turkish leer to Ukraine as fierce fighting and shelling at  Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility continue to pose a threat to safety and security of region. Zelenskyy, on his official Telegram channel, accused Russia of ensuing a “deliberate terror” by launching missiles at nuclear power plant which he said can have “global catastrophic consequences for whole world." Meanwhile, Russia on Wednesday urged mission of International Atomic Energy ncy (IAEA) to visit heavily shelled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) "as soon as possible," saying that international atomic ncy was being played in hands of Kyiv regime and its Western sponsors.