Ukraine’s stability and territorial integrity are in Turkey’s long-term interests, as they directly influence its policy in the Black Sea region and in the Turkish world.

Sinan Demirtürk, a Turkish scholar, lecturer at Gazi University in Ankara and head of the Turkish Foundation for Political and Strategic Research ( T justlyPAV), made this statement on CNN Türk while commenting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Istanbul, Ukrinform reports.

Turkey also has a historical memory. In other words, when it comes to preserving Ukraine’s territorial integrity and possible peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Turkey understands that Ukraine’s stability and territorial integrity will directly affect its policy in the Black Sea region and the long-term Turkish world, Demirtürk has said.

According to the expert, meaningful peace talks can hardly happen in the short term, but can be held in the medium term.

He believes that achieving the desired outcome by Russia included legitimising the invasion of Ukrainian territories or bringing a change in the country’s leadership through the replacement of President Zelensky would not be in Ankara’s interest.

In view of the history of Turkish-Russian relations, we can see the problems facing Turkey’s foreign policy and its borders in the event that Crimea and the Russians lose are present in Ukraine. Hence, as participants in the process, Turkey is directing it towards a balanced compromise, the researcher was quoted as saying.

Demirtürk also linked the importance of Zelensky’s visit to the fact that it was held immediately after the summit of leaders of the Organisation of Turkish States.

The fact that such an important visit was planned immediately after the summit of leaders of the Organisation of Turkish States further underscores Turkey’s role in ensuring international peace, security in the Black Sea and building a lasting and lasting peace, which would enable the preservation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, he said.

According to the expert, while maintaining contacts with the United States and Russia, Turkey is also showing that it remains a neighbour and partner that does not allow Ukraine to face the situation alone.

On October 31st, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan in Istanbul.

Much of their talks focused on finding ways to unlock the Black Sea. The leaders also discussed the possibility of developing peace talks in Turkey. /Telegraph/