Ukraine’s president, Voldymyr Zelensky, said he is ready to meet with Vladimir Putin in Turkey and stressed the need for talks at the leadership level to end the war.

He said that in an interview for CNN Türk, according to the Ukrinform agency.

Yeah, we’re ready. We are ready for this meeting in Turkey. Turkey’s position on the issue is clear. The president’s position (Recep Tayip) Erdogan is clear. We have close and good relations with Turkey, Zelensky said, answering a question about his readiness to meet Putin in that country.

Ukrainian president said Turkey could be a practical and realistic mediator, also remembering Ankara’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

I know President Erdogan has his communication channels with Putin. Therefore, we support holding a meeting in Turkey, he stressed.

According to Zelensky, despite talks held on different forms by technical teams and delegations, the war continues.

He stressed that a meeting between leaders is necessary, as societies expect war to end and there will be concrete progress through diplomacy.

Technical teams may face difficulties in achieving results during meetings. But I don’t think there’s any problem that we, as leaders, cannot solve if we demonstrate our will. That’s why I want to meet, as one of those who make decisions, Zelensky was quoted as saying.

Furthermore, Zelensky believes that security guarantees, reconstruction of Ukraine and territorial issue should be discussed at the level of leaders.

At the same time, the president stressed that Ukraine would not give up on its territories and would not recognise as Russian the temporarily occupied territories including the Crimea since it would conflict with the Constitution and will of Ukrainian society. /Telegraph/