Erdoğan Backs Peace Upholding Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on Russia’s war against Ukraine to end in a settlement that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, reaffirming Ankara’s diplomatic position as it attempts to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow. Erdoğan made the remarks on the first day of the high-level general debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tuesday, Sept. 22, following the address of US President Donald Trump, who threatened to use his newly granted legislative powers to impose tariffs of up to 100% on Russian energy buyers if Moscow continues the war.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “As for the Russia-Ukraine war, it is our sincere hope that it comes to an end with Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity being upheld,” Erdoğan said in his UN address, according to Clash Reports. The 81st assembly, whose main theme this year is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all,” formally opened on Sept. 8. Its general debate began on Tuesday, and is scheduled to run through Saturday, Sept. 26 before concluding on Monday, Sept. 28. Turkey’s diplomatic stance on war in Ukraine Turkey has repeatedly said it supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. Ankara has not recognized Moscow’s claimed annexations of any Ukrainian territory, which the Kremlin did not particularly appreciate. Other Topics of Interest Commander Warns Russian Groups Could Reach Zaporizhzhia A Ukrainian commander warned that small Russian infantry groups could approach Zaporizhzhia this winter. The Southern Grouping said there is no evidence of an imminent entry. However, the country maintained its diplomatic relations with both Kyiv and Moscow. This position has allowed Turkey to portray itself as a potential mediator. It hosted early Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul in 2022 and, alongside the UN, brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July of that year, enabling grain exports from Ukrainian ports until Russia withdrew in July 2023. Four days after Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Turkey invoked the Montreux Convention to restrict the transit of warships through the Turkish Straits. While Erdoğan’s remarks during his UN address appear consistent with Turkey’s long-held diplomatic position regarding the war against Ukraine, the country remains among the largest buyers of Russian fossil fuels. In August, Turkey was the world’s third-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, after China and India, importing €1.5 billion (about $1.7 billion) in Russian hydrocarbons, according to a report by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Ankara has avoided joining Western sanctions on Moscow and retains broad economic, tourism and energy relations with Russia, while also backing Kyiv with defense equipment and broader support as a NATO member. Maritime mediation continues Currently, Turkey’s diplomatic effort seems less focused on a comprehensive peace deal than on reducing civilian attacks on vessels passing through the Black Sea. In recent months, many Turkish vessels have been targeted, mainly by Russian drones. Ankara sent Russia and Ukraine a draft memorandum aimed at ending such strikes on Sept. 18, drawing on the framework of the former grain corridor. The country’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara had received responses from both sides but acknowledged reconciling their positions would be difficult. “Frankly, both sides have demands,” Fidan said. Previously, on Aug. 9, Turkey restricted the movement of commercial vessels heading to the Black Sea via the Dardanelles, targeting routes to the Russian port of Novorossiysk and potentially Ukrainian ports. The restriction came as both countries continued regularly trading strikes over the Black Sea, with Ukraine seeking to disrupt Russia’s maritime logistics, fuel supplies to occupied Crimea and oil exports that helped Moscow’s war effort. The strikes are increasingly threatening the global food supply chain as the campaigns drive wheat prices higher and force major importers to seek more expensive alternatives. Erdogan urges UN reform Earlier Tuesday, Erdoğan used an opinion article published by Bloomberg to call for sweeping reform of the UN Security Council. He called for the abolition of the council’s veto power and an end to permanent membership, arguing that the body’s structure no longer reflects the realities of the modern world. “The tragedies of recent years, including pandemics, energy crises, disruptions to supply chains and regional conflicts, have demonstrated that leaving the resolution of global crises to the will of a handful of capitals is no longer compatible with the realities of today’s world,” he said. Russia’s veto as a permanent Security Council member has repeatedly prevented the council from taking binding action over Moscow’s invasion. The General Assembly, where no state has a veto, has adopted multiple resolutions affirming Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and calling for Russian forces to withdraw. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. 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