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Türkiye seeks Ukraine peace talks despite Western actions: Erdogan
Updated 21:06, 12-Nov-2022
CGTN
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, October 19, 2022. /CFP
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, October 19, 2022. /CFP

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, October 19, 2022. /CFP

Türkiye is committed to seeking a peace dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, Turkish media cited President Tayyip Erdogan as saying on Saturday, as he accused the United States and other Western countries of provoking Moscow.

State broadcaster TRT and other media quoted Erdogan as saying: "The West, and especially the U.S., is attacking Russia seemingly endlessly," without elaborating on what he meant.

"Of course, Russia is displaying great resistance in the face of all this," Erdogan was quoted as telling reporters on a flight from Uzbekistan.

Western countries have armed Kyiv and provided other assistance and have also imposed stringent sanctions on Moscow since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February.

"We are working on how to create a peace corridor here, like we had the grain corridor. We think the best way for this is a path from dialogue to peace," Erdogan said, adding Ukraine's view would be important.

Türkiye hosted talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations earlier this year and has sought to balance its criticism of the conflict and opposition to the sanctions.

The deal to re-start Ukrainian grain exports from Black Sea ports – brokered by the United Nations and Ankara on July 22 – could end on November 19 if Russia or Ukraine object to its extension. Erdogan said "it would be wrong" for Türkiye to propose a specific time frame for extending the deal beyond the deadline but added it should run "as long as possible."

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Kuleba says Russia not sincerely seeking negotiations with Ukraine

(With input from Reuters)

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