Erdogan made the remark at a joint news convention with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who arrived in Turkey as a part of a European tour to rally help for Ukraine’s entry into the navy alliance after the warfare with Russia involves an finish.
NATO leaders assembly in Vilnius, Lithuania, subsequent week are anticipated to reaffirm that Ukraine will be part of their alliance sooner or later.
“There is no doubt that Ukraine deserves NATO membership,” Erdogan advised reporters.
His help for Ukraine comes as Turkey has been holding off giving its ultimate approval to Sweden becoming a member of NATO, saying Stockholm will not be successfully cracking down on Kurdish militants and different teams that Ankara views as threats to its safety.
Sweden, together with Finland, deserted its decades-long neutrality and utilized to affix NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine final yr.
Turkey’s parliament ratified Finland’s membership earlier this yr, after Ankara voiced satisfaction with its efforts to deal with Turkey’s safety considerations.
Erdogan additionally mentioned Turkey was working towards extending a Turkish- and UN-brokered grain deal that has paved the way in which for the cargo of greater than 30 million tons of Ukrainian grain by the Black Sea.
The deal, which helped mood rising world meals costs, is about to run out on July 17. Russia has been reluctant to increase the deal, citing obstacles to its personal exports of meals and fertiliser.
“We are continuing our work on the grain corridor issue. We are working to see how long we can extend it after July 17,” Erdogan mentioned.
Zelenskyy accused Russia of obstructing the motion of ships.
“Russia behaves as if it owns the entire Black Sea, as if it is the owner here,” mentioned Zelenskyy, making his first journey to Turkey since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Erdogan mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin would go to Turkey in August, when he hoped to debate renewal of the Black Sea grain deal in addition to a attainable prisoner swap.
Turkey has maintained shut ties with each Ukraine and Russia, utilizing its relations with each to behave as a mediator.
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Source: www.9news.com.au
