Erdogan Says to Talk with Putin, Trump over Summit on Ukraine
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that he may speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump this week to explore the possibility of holding a summit in Istanbul.
"In the coming period -- possibly even within this week -- we will seek to hold further talks with Mr. Putin and also with Mr. Trump," he told reporters in Istanbul. "We will see if we can bring these leaders together in Istanbul. That is our effort," Xinhua reported.
Erdogan said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate meetings with the Russian and Ukrainian delegations before the start of the third round of talks over the Ukraine crisis held in Istanbul on Wednesday. He added that, prior to their arrival in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation also met with him in Ankara.
During the peace talks, the two sides agreed on another prisoner exchange but clashed over ceasefire terms and the prospect of a presidential summit.
The Ukrainian side proposed holding a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "by the end of August," saying the participation of Trump and Erdogan would be "especially valuable."
The Russian delegation said such a meeting is not under consideration until certain processes are completed.
