Turkey and Ukraine Strengthen Cooperation Amid Ongoing Conflict: Erdoğan and Zelenskyy Hold Joint Press Conference

Turkey and Ukraine Strengthen Cooperation Amid Ongoing Conflict: Erdoğan and Zelenskyy Hold Joint Press Conference

Ankara, Turkey – In a significant diplomatic meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a joint press conference following bilateral talks and the signing of several agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two nations. The meeting took place against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, now entering its fourth year, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of peace and strategic partnership.

 Key Agreements Signed

The two leaders oversaw the signing of two key agreements:

1. Memorandum of Understanding on Media and Communication Cooperation**: Signed between the Turkish Presidency's Directorate of Communications and Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications, this agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in the media and communication sectors.

2. **Education Cooperation Agreement**: Signed between the Turkish and Ukrainian governments, this agreement focuses on enhancing educational ties and exchanges between the two countries.

### Erdoğan’s Remarks: A Call for Peace and Strategic Partnership

President Erdoğan began his speech by expressing condolences to the Ukrainian people for the lives lost in the ongoing conflict. He reiterated Turkey’s commitment to mediating peace efforts, stating, *"There will be no winners in war, and no losers in peace."* He highlighted Turkey’s active diplomatic role since the beginning of the war, including hosting direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in March 2022 and facilitating the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey’s diplomatic efforts align with the recent initiative by U.S. President Donald Trump to negotiate an end to the conflict. He expressed confidence that Turkey, given its neutral and trusted mediator role, would be an ideal host for future talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.

The Turkish president also underscored Turkey’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. He called for an immediate end to the war, which has caused immense destruction and loss of innocent lives. Erdoğan further highlighted the importance of ensuring commercial navigation safety in the Black Sea, which he believes could serve as a confidence-building measure in the peace process.

On economic cooperation, Erdoğan noted that despite the challenges posed by the war, bilateral trade between Turkey and Ukraine is steadily progressing toward the $10 billion target. He also mentioned that Turkish companies are eager to support Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.

### Zelenskyy’s Response: Gratitude and Call for Security Guarantees

President Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Turkey for its consistent support, particularly in safeguarding Ukraine’s territorial integrity. He acknowledged Turkey’s role in facilitating the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war and its efforts in mediating peace talks.

Zelenskyy stressed the importance of achieving a just and lasting peace, emphasizing that any peace agreement must include strong security guarantees for Ukraine. He called for the involvement of international partners, including the United States and European Union, in providing these guarantees to prevent future conflicts.

The Ukrainian president also highlighted the need for prisoner exchanges and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia. He praised Turkey’s humanitarian efforts, particularly in hosting Ukrainian orphans and supporting their well-being.

### Focus on Strategic Partnership

Both leaders discussed ways to deepen the strategic partnership between Turkey and Ukraine, particularly in trade, education, and cultural exchanges. Zelenskyy expressed optimism that bilateral relations would reach new heights once peace is restored.

### Questions from the Press

During the Q&A session, journalists raised questions about the possibility of a near-term peace agreement and Turkey’s role in the process. Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s readiness to facilitate negotiations, while Zelenskyy emphasized that any peace deal must be fair and involve Ukraine’s direct participation.

When asked about the recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy expressed surprise at not being invited, stating that Ukraine’s absence from such discussions undermines the legitimacy of any peace process. He reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to a diplomatic solution but insisted that the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.

### Conclusion

The meeting between Erdoğan and Zelenskyy underscored the strong bilateral ties between Turkey and Ukraine and their shared commitment to ending the war through diplomacy. While challenges remain, both leaders expressed hope that sustained dialogue and international cooperation could pave the way for a just and lasting peace.

As the conflict continues, Turkey’s role as a mediator and Ukraine’s resilience in defending its sovereignty remain critical to achieving a resolution that ensures stability in the region.

ASELFLIR 600 meets the sky

 

ASELSAN, one of the locomotives of the national defense industry, continues on its way. ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol announced in his special statement to TRT Haber that ASELFLIR 600 will make its first flight in May. Akyol also said that they are working on a new solution to protect armored vehicles from FPV drone attacks.IDEX and NAVDEX 2025 International Defense Fair and Conference, held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, continues with the participation of the world's most important companies in the field of defense industry.

ASELSAN, one of the leading actors in the ongoing story of our country's defense industry from past to present, is also attracting intense interest, especially from foreign delegations, at the event in Abu Dhabi.

Making special statements to TRT Haber within the scope of the event, ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol touched upon important details on many issues, from the latest situation in the Steel Dome to the first shot of the GÖKSUR air defense system, from the national system to be developed against FPV drone attacks to ASELFLIR 600.Step by step approaching the Steel Dome

General Manager Akyol said that they built Steel Dome with an understanding that the systems that ASELSAN has developed for many years work in an integrated and single network and are also supported and commanded by artificial intelligence.

Reminding that they added Siper, one of the most important components of the system, to the inventory last year, and that they delivered Hisar for medium altitude in multiple numbers last year, Akyol said, “There is a process we are working on step by step. We should not forget the sensor side of the coin. We put the Alpine radar family, which we developed for this purpose, into service last year. We are proud to have completed a very successful launch on the sea side of the Steel Dome these days. GÖKSUR's first shot in the sea environment was successfully carried out. "It will be a very important deterrent force for the Turkish navy." he said.ASELSAN aims to provide a solution to the FPV drone danger

Reminding that FPV drones caused serious problems for armored vehicles, especially with the Russia-Ukraine war, Akyol said that they started a new project for a local and national solution:

“We are taking action against the danger of FPV drones through two channels. We have released our product called Kangal, which can also mix the frequency bands of FPV drones at a fixed point. A job that successfully mixes the systems through which FPV drones transmit images. We have also implemented a system we call 'Chameleon', which can deceive such drones.

Nowadays, attacks against armored vehicles have increased greatly. In fact, as ASELSAN, we introduced the AKKOR system in this regard and gave it to our national tank Altay. We are now working on an integrated solution with its radar, optics and smart ammunition that can protect armored vehicles against FPV drone attacks. “With this system, which we aim to release in a short time, we aim to create a shield against the danger of FPV drones in armored vehicles.”

“The possibility of ASELFLIR 600 meeting the skies very soon is exciting”

Another project that comes to mind when ASELSAN is mentioned is reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting pods... Emphasizing that they quickly produced a solution after the embargoes against Turkey, especially on the cameras of S/UAVs, and that they introduced the CATS system at that time, Akyol stated that the product worked successfully in different parts of the world.

However, at that time, "If we are making the best S/UAVs in the world, we will also make the best cameras." Explaining that they set out by saying, Ahmet Akyol concluded his words as follows:

“We achieved this with ASELFLIR 500. We exported it to 16 countries in our first year. And those who use it are very satisfied. Now we will reach a 'game-changing' distance in imaging with ASELFLIR 600. We are almost doubling the laser marking range. And thus, we will now nationally gain the ability to view all strategic targets from very long ranges.

Our goal is to bring ASELFLIR to the sky in May this year. And then turning to mass production. We said that whatever we do in terms of product, we will be a candidate for leadership in the world. We achieved this with ASELFLIR 500. “With ASELFLIR 600, we will provide a very, very critical capability to both our heroic army and the whole world.”

A new campaign for middle income from Emlak Konut

 

Minister of Environment, Urbanism and Climate Change Murat Kurum mentioned the Emlak Housing project to be launched for middle income earners and said, "Emlak Housing will announce all the details of our campaign that will start tomorrow. I wish all these efforts to be beneficial for our nation and our sector," he said. Minister of Environment, Urbanism and Climate Change Murat Kurum spoke at the Turkish Construction Sector Workshop held in Ankara.

Rebels capture another city in Democratic Republic of Congo

 

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced that the Rwandan army and the rebel group called the 23 March Movement (M23) occupied Bukavu, the capital of South-Kivu province.

In the statement made by the DRC Ministry of Communications, it was stated that M23 members and Rwandan soldiers occupied the city of Bukavu.

In the statement, it was stated that the occupation was a clear violation of international agreements, and it was announced that Rwanda was carrying out illegal operations in the KDC territory.

M23 members captured Goma, the capital of North-Kivu province, last month.

The United Nations (UN) reported that the number of people who lost their lives in the clashes for control of the city of Goma approached 3 thousand.

More than 500 thousand people have been displaced since the beginning of the year due to conflicts in the east of the DRC.

Rwanda, which the UN and DRC accuse of supporting M23, denies the allegations.

The group, which emerged under the name of "23 March Movement" after the peace agreement signed by the countries of the region on March 23, 2009, to ensure security in the east of the KDC, was broken, and began to be known as "M23".

M23 consists largely of Tutsi, the tribe of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

The opening program of Bahtiyar Vahabzade's commemoration year, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Bahtiyar Vahapzade's birth, is held at the TÜRKSOY General Secretariat.

 

The opening program of Bahtiyar Vahabzade's commemoration year, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Bahtiyar Vahapzade's birth, is held at the TÜRKSOY General Secretariat. 21.02.2025 

⏰ 11.00

TÜRKSOY General Secretariat Conference Hall

In his post on AK Party Social Media accounts at the 8th Ordinary Grand Congress of the AK Party on February 23

In his post on AK Party Social Media accounts at the 8th Ordinary Grand Congress of the AK Party on February 23: "Our Chairman All our people are invited to our 8th Ordinary Grand Congress, which will be held with the participation of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. FUTURE IN THE LIGHT OF AK IN IT'S NAME 📍Ankara Indoor Sports Hall 🕙 February 23, 2025, 10:00" he said.

AK Party Spokesman Çelik's reaction to Özgür Özel

 

AK Party Spokesman Ömer Çelik said, "Özgür Özel's commemoration of coup leader Kenan Evren side by side with our President, who came with democratic will wherever he was in his political life, shows that he is not even aware of the alphabet of democracy." said.                                 

AK Party Spokesman Ömer Çelik reacted to CHP Chairman Özgür Özel with a statement made on his social media account.

Steel used the following statements in his sharing:

"CHP Chairman Özgür Özel has made a statement that will again pass on the ”history of non-politics". Özgür Özel's commemoration of coup leader Kenan Evren side by side with our President, who came with democratic will wherever he was in his political life, shows that he is not even aware of the alphabet of democracy.

Since we have started multi-party life, the expression that best describes the CHP's political actions against democracy and the will of the nation is the 'Yassyada mentality'. The explanations and cruel practices of coup leader Kenan Evren are a copy of the 'Yassıada mentality'. Therefore, if Özgür Özel is looking for information about the political tradition that supports those who make a coup against democracy, he should look at the political history of his own party.

"He is trapped in the election process between the factions within the CHP Dec."

On the other hand, our President has repeatedly given historical democracy lessons to this putschist political tradition. If Özgür Özel wants to learn how to fight the putschist political tradition, he should focus on better understanding the political struggle of our President.

Özgür Özel also said that our power has 'fallen from the eyes of the nation'. It is impossible for Özgür Özel to find time to manage the factional fighting within the CHP and focus on the voice of our nation. Therefore, it is certain that the situation he has fallen into about 'reading poetry' will also live in this regard. Özgür Özel is trapped in the election process only among the factions within the CHP because he Decried the 'early election'.

While the CHP is engaged in the fight of factions, our government, under the leadership of the President, manages all important issues of Turkish and world politics with tenacity and advances to its goals with the will of our nation."

Greece "seismic" concern: training on 4 islands Decoupled for another week

 

Greece "seismic" concern: training on 4 islands Decoupled for another week Greece has decided to Decertify education in schools located on 4 islands in the region for another week due to the seismic activity that has been continuing in the Aegean Sea in recent weeks. Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Mikotakis announced on social media that schools will also be closed next week on the islands of Santorini, Yamurgi, Nioz and Anafiya in the Aegean Sea, which are affected by seismic activity. A state of emergency was declared on these 4 islands due to seismic activity, education was suspended for the last 2 weeks for the same reason. Dec.

The Artistic Gymnastics Women's Olympic Project Preparation Camp has started in Istanbul.

 

The Turkish Gymnastics Federation has announced that the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Olympic Project Preparation Camp, consisting of 24 athletes and a technical team of 17 people, has started in Istanbul. In the statement, he wished good wishes to the aporc players, coaches and technical team and We wish our Athletes, Coaches and Technical Team a healthy and successful camp period. he used his expressions.

Foreign Minister Fidan met with his counterparts from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Azerbaijan

 

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic and Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov Dec.                                    According to information obtained from Foreign Ministry sources, Fidan is 61st with Konakovic and Bayramov. He spoke on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC 2025).

During the meeting, Fidan and Konakovic discussed bilateral relations, as well as developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the situation in the Balkans.                

The relations between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina are based on deep historical and cultural ties. Dec. Turkey and Azerbaijan, as two brotherly countries coming from the same ethnic and linguistic background, have been in strict solidarity throughout history. Especially after the Decadence of the Soviet Union, with the independence of Azerbaijan, the relations between the two countries have become stronger. Cooperation in the fields of energy, defense, economy and culture has further strengthened this relationship.

The relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey date back to the Ottoman Empire period. Dec. Bosnia and Herzegovina became an important cultural and administrative center during the Ottoman period, and the ties established during this period have continued to this day. Turkey's support to Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War has further strengthened the relations between the two countries. Dec. Today, there is an intensive cooperation between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina in political, economic and cultural fields. Dec.

The relations between Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina are similarly based on historical and cultural ties. Dec. Both countries have supported each other during the difficult periods they have experienced in the past and have developed a common spirit of solidarity in this process.

In the future, it is expected that the cooperation efforts between these three countries will increase even more. Dec. Joint projects, especially in the energy, transportation, defense and cultural fields, will make significant contributions to increasing regional stability and prosperity. Turkey's experience and leadership role in the region will help further develop relations with Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In this context, the meetings held by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan with Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic and Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov within the framework of the Munich Security Conference (MS Dec 2025) are of great importance for the future of cooperation between these three countries. Such high-level contacts play a critical role both in terms of strengthening existing relations and exploring new areas of cooperation.

This comment highlights the historical ties between the three countries and the potential for future cooperation.Dec.