Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine would be “one of the best actions taken by humanity” in the context of the failure of the negotiations, which, according to the Turkish president, have been affected by the massacres in Bucha, Irpin and Kramatorsk.
“We welcome the parties in Istanbul to continue their face-to-face negotiations. Thanks to these meetings, the parties made tangible progress, but the images of Bucha and Irpin and the attacks by civilians in Kramatorsk overshadowed our efforts,” he said.
Despite this, he has assured that Turkey will continue its “efforts” to reach an agreement. “The Istanbul process still maintains its character as the shortest and most reliable way out to overcome the crisis,” he added, as reported by the Anatolia news agency.
Erdogan stressed that “there will be no winner in this war”, since “all humanity” will lose because of the increase in the human cost and the economic cost. “Our world is being dragged into great uncertainty,” said the Turkish president.
NEW OPERATION AGAINST THE PKK
On the other hand, as part of the launch of a new operation in northern Iraq against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), considered as a terrorist group by Ankara, Erdogan stressed that they are determined “to continue the fight until terrorism ceases to be a threat”.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar highlighted that Operation 'Blocking Claw' has been launched against the group's targets in the Avasin-Basyan, Metina and Zap regions with the aim of ending the PKK attacks and ensuring border security.
“After a long preparation and coordination, we have started the 'Blocking Claw” operation. So far, all the planned objectives have been achieved,” he said, adding that Turkish forces have destroyed “hiding places, bunkers, caves, tunnels, ammunition stores and terrorist command centers.”
He also stated that the Turkish Army “will continue to act with determination to save the country and the nation from the terrorist scourge that has affected the country for 40 years” and has emphasized that operations “are carried out with respect for the territorial integrity and sovereign rights of brother and friend Iraq”.
(With information from Europa Press)
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