Turkish president Erdogan says ‘even worst peace is better than war’
Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Photo:Umit Bektas / Reuters)
Even the worst peace in Ukraine would be better than war, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Oct. 6 after a meeting of the European Political Community, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet has reported.
Erdogan said the deal allowing the export of Ukrainian grain from several Ukrainian Black Sea ports and recent prisoner exchanges were examples of what could be achieved through mediation and negotiation.
“Our country’s mediating role in the Russian-Ukrainian war is highly appreciated,” the Turkish leader said.
“Since the first day of the war, we have made great efforts to stop the bloodshed, prevent the loss of life and destruction.”
According to Turkish leader, at every opportunity, his country sends a message to its interlocutors that “a fair peace has no losers.”
“It is becoming increasingly clear that Turkey may end up in a position where both countries can talk and trust each other. During our talks today, many European leaders spoke about Turkey's actions,” added Erdogan.
He added that “unacceptable events” on the ground make work difficult, but Turkey will continue its efforts, believing that even the worst peace is better than war. He said that he was the only leader who could meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as both sides trusted him.
In the comments reported by Hurriyet, Erdogan made no explicit mention of atrocities and possible war crimes committed by the Russian army in Ukraine. Neither did he talk of the issue of restoring Ukraine’s full territorial integrity, nor of war reparations to be paid by Russia to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, at the end of June, Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of the President’s Office, said that a peace treaty with Russia would be possible once Ukraine restores its territorial integrity.
Earlier, the head of the negotiating delegation with Russia, David Arakhamiya, in an interview with Voice of America on June 17, said that Ukraine might be able to resume peace talks with Russia in August, after it has strengthened its position through a counter-offensive, and when the invaders return to their positions as of Feb. 23.
Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that negotiations with Russia are only possible on the condition of the Russian troops leaving the occupied Ukrainian territories.
However, on Aug. 29, Zelenskyy stated that negotiations with Russia were no longer possible.
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