Kremlin says will ‘closely follow’ Zelensky-Erdoğan talks

The Kremlin said Friday it will “closely follow” upcoming talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Turkey counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, describing their meeting in İstanbul as “important,” Agence France-Presse reported.

The Ukrainian and Turkish leaders will meet in İstanbul for talks on the eve of the 500th day since Moscow launched its offensive.

“We will very closely follow the results of these talks,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

“It will be interesting for us to find out what was discussed. It’s important,” he added.

Peskov said Moscow “cherishes” its relationship with Ankara and acknowledged Erdoğan’s mediation efforts.

“Mr. Erdogan has repeatedly made great efforts to end various problems within the framework of the Ukrainian conflict and played a mediating role,” the spokesman said.

He added that Moscow “did not exclude” talks between President Vladimir Putin and Erdoğan.The Turkish leader has retained good ties with both Kyiv and Moscow since the Kremlin launched its Ukraine military campaign in February 2022.

He helped broker a key grain deal last year to unblock Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea.

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