Ukraine's Ambassador to Ankara Nariman Celal met with media representatives in Ankara on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the restoration of his country's independence. Celal recalled that Ukraine also celebrates State Flag Day on August 23.
Celal said Türkiye was one of the first countries to recognize Ukraine's independence, adding that relations between the two countries had gone through a long process of development and now had a strategic character.
Kyiv sends an immediate ceasefire message
Celal said Ukraine had never been and would never be an obstacle to peace. The ambassador said they had consistently supported ending the war through diplomatic means and securing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, adding that his country was ready for an immediate, unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire.
Celal said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had repeatedly stated that he was ready for the leaders of Ukraine and Russia to meet in Türkiye. He added that such a meeting could also be held with the mediation and participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Emphasizing that both sides must be ready for a diplomatic solution, Celal said that, in Ukraine's view, the political, military and economic cost of continuing the war for Russia must be higher than the cost of peace.
Assessment of the situation at the front
Celal said the situation at the front remained difficult and that Russia continued its attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine. The ambassador said Ukraine had retaken approximately 745 square kilometers through counterattacks, arguing that Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russian territory had significantly limited Moscow's capacity to continue the war.
Celal said there had been a significant increase in Russian airstrikes, adding that the capital, Kyiv, had been subjected to particularly intense attacks in 2026. The ambassador also shared figures on the casualties in the war.
Türkiye's mediation role
Celal said Türkiye firmly supported Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, adding that Ankara's position on Crimea was of particular importance. Celal said they valued Türkiye's mediation efforts.
Celal said one of the concrete results of the negotiation process in Istanbul was that approximately 2,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war were reunited with their families. He also referred to the free trade agreement between Türkiye and Ukraine. He said they expected Turkish businesses to participate actively in Ukraine's reconstruction.
Safety of civilian shipping in the Black Sea
Celal said the war in the Black Sea had created serious risks for civilian maritime shipping, adding that sailors from different countries had been killed and injured. The ambassador said Turkish citizens were also among those killed and offered condolences, on behalf of Ukraine, to the families and relatives of the sailors.
Celal said the Ukrainian side was ready to cooperate with Türkiye to clarify the circumstances of the incidents in question and contribute to the safety of civilian maritime shipping. He said commercial considerations could not justify putting sailors' lives at risk. According to Celal, the safety of sailors must be the absolute priority.
Celal said Ukraine was ready to support Türkiye's initiative calling for a mutual moratorium on attacks against civilian vessels, commercial ports and energy infrastructure in the Black Sea. He said the Black Sea should be a sea of peace, trade and cooperation, not a battlefield.
