The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, believes that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is set to continue for a long time. However, he also stated that Moscow is actually one of the parties seeking to end the hostilities as soon as possible. Erdogan made these remarks during an interview with American broadcaster PBS.
During the interview, Erdogan was asked about his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and whether Putin believed that Russia was “winning the war” in Ukraine. Erdogan responded by saying that he and Putin did not discuss the conflict in terms of who was winning. However, he did emphasize that Russia is keen on finding a speedy resolution to the hostilities.
Erdogan stated, “It’s quite obvious that this war is going to last a long time. And for the war to end as soon as possible, we would like to be very hopeful. And Mr. Putin is actually on the side of ending this war as soon as possible. That’s what [Putin] said. And I believe his remarks.”
The Turkish President also expressed doubts that Russia would ever withdraw from Crimea, mentioning that he had discussions with Putin regarding the matter in 2014. He stated, “I couldn’t make them withdraw from Crimea. I think it’s not going to be possible for the time being either. I think time will only tell.”
Throughout the conflict, Ukrainian officials have repeatedly pledged to expel Russian forces from all of Ukraine’s former territories, including Crimea, Kherson, Zaporozhye Regions, and the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. However, Moscow has consistently maintained that it considers the matter closed and that the new territorial reality must be recognized.
The remarks made by Erdogan shed light on the potential for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, with Russia being one of the parties seeking an end to the hostilities. While the Turkish President acknowledged the longevity of the conflict, he expressed hope for a speedy resolution.
It is important to note that while Erdogan’s remarks suggest a willingness on Russia’s part to end the war, the ultimate resolution will depend on a multitude of factors, including the negotiations between the conflicting parties and the international community’s involvement. The conflict has had significant humanitarian consequences and has caused immense suffering for the people of Ukraine. Finding a peaceful and lasting solution remains a priority for all parties involved.
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