Turkey continues phone diplomacy over war in Ukraine

ANKARA

The presidents of Turkey and Belarus spoke by phone early on March 1 on the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Erdoğan and his Belarusian counterpart, Aleksandr Lukashenko, discussed the negotiations between delegations from Ukraine and Russia in Belarus, the Turkish presidency said on Twitter. Erdoğan told Lukashenko that Turkey “will continue to make efforts to stop this war and establish peace.”

Çavuşoğlu and his U.S. counterpart, Antony Blinken, also had a phone conversation on Feb. 28. On Twitter, Çavuşoğlu said during the call they discussed recent developments in war-torn Ukraine and the humanitarian situation there and that they both emphasized the importance of a cease-fire.

“In my phone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, I reaffirmed U.S. condemnation of Russia’s actions and emphasized that we will continue our close coordination in support of Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Blinken tweeted.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Blinken reiterated his “condemnation for Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine and expressed appreciation for the solidarity among partners and Allies in confronting this crisis” during the phone conversation.

“Secretary Blinken expressed his appreciation for Turkey’s continued implementation of the Montreux Convention and Foreign Minister Cavuşoğlu’s recent comments on this issue. The secretary also thanked Turkey for its strong support in defense of Ukraine and its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added.