Turkey wants to mediate in the Ukraine war – The night at a glance
Published: Saturday, Mar 9th 2024, 05:10
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During a visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyi to Istanbul, Turkey once again offered to mediate in Russia's war against Ukraine. "We are ready to host a peace summit in which Russia also participates," said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday after his meeting with Zelenskyi. He also pledged his country's support for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Turkey also supports the integration of Ukraine into "Euro-Atlantic institutions". Zelensky also spoke of a possible peace summit, although he rejected Russia's participation for the time being.
On Saturday night, Russia once again attacked Ukraine with swarms of Iranian-made combat drones, according to the Ukrainian air force. There was an air alert in the south of Ukraine in particular. Explosions were heard in the industrial city of Krywyj Rih, Ukrainian public television reported. No details were given about possible casualties or damage. Russian aircraft fired glide bombs at the Kharkiv region in the east. The large-scale Russian invasion of the neighboring country has been going on for more than two years. Saturday marks the 745th day of the war.
Ukrainian drone attacks in Russia
Ukraine, for its part, attacked targets on Russian territory with drones. According to the governor of the Rostov region, a massive drone attack was repelled in the southern Russian city of Taganrog on the Sea of Azov on Saturday night. The damage on the ground was still being assessed, Vasily Golubev announced on his Telegram channel in the morning. According to preliminary information, however, there were no casualties, Golubev continued. An employee of the Ministry of Emergencies, who was involved in clearing the aftermath, had been taken to hospital injured, but there was no danger to his life. In addition, the air defense of the Rostov region had repelled another attack on the city of Morozovsk.
Meanwhile, in Kursk in western Russia, debris from an intercepted drone damaged the roof of a polyclinic, Kursk Governor Roman Starovoit announced on Telegram on Saturday morning. There were no injuries. However, due to the risk of an explosion, the patients in the intensive care unit in the neighboring hospital building were taken to other medical facilities in the city. The staff and other patients were also taken to safety. The details of the various attacks could not be independently verified.
Zelensky wants peace summit without Russians
At a press conference with Erdogan, Selensky emphasized his peace plan, which includes the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. This is to be discussed internationally at a possible summit in Switzerland - but initially without the participation of Russia, as the Ukrainian emphasized. "We don't see how we can invite people who block, destroy and kill everything." The summit is about a just peace for Ukraine. "Therefore, at the beginning, the civilized countries of the world will work out a detailed plan and achieve a result." Only then would it be possible to include Russian representatives, but only those who are striving for such a just peace.
Turkey had already served as a venue for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine after the start of the war in 2022, but no agreement was reached. Erdogan regretted this, but reiterated his willingness to make a new attempt. The war should be ended through negotiations, he said. The Turkish president also maintains close ties with Moscow.
Concern for persecuted Crimean Tatars
Zelensky asked for Turkish mediation for the release of Ukrainians imprisoned in Russia. "Today I handed over a list of our citizens, including Crimean Tatars from the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia," said the Ukrainian president. According to him, they are being held in Russian prisons and camps under inhumane conditions. Erdogan thanked Selensky for his support for the Crimean Tatars, whom he called an "indispensable part" of Ukraine. Ankara traditionally sees itself as a protective power for the Muslim minority on the Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
In Istanbul, Zelensky also visited a shipyard where two warships are being built for the Ukrainian navy. The new flagship of the navy, the corvette "Hetman Ivan Masepa", is due to be completed this year.
Ukrainian foreign minister calls for more Western weapons
In the defensive battle against Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Western partners to provide comprehensive supplies of weapons and ammunition. "The strategy of providing Ukraine with aid in dribs and drabs no longer works," he said after a meeting with his colleagues from the Baltic states and France in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. It is a new reality that the era of peace in Europe is over. "In order to prevent a Russian victory and finally pave the way for Ukraine's victory, we cannot rule out any form of support," said Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis as host. "We must draw red lines for Russia, not for ourselves." London offers support for possible Taurus delivery
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has offered Germany support to enable a possible delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. When asked whether his country would be prepared to solve the problems that stand in the way of a Taurus delivery, he told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" (Saturday): "We are determined to work closely with our German partners on this and all other issues to help Ukraine". Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had rejected the delivery of the long-range weapon system on the grounds that Germany "cannot do what the British and French are doing in terms of target control and support for target control".
According to the newspaper, Cameron also considers a ring swap possible, in which Germany delivers Taurus cruise missiles to the UK and London in turn delivers further Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. "We are prepared to look at all options to achieve the maximum effect for Ukraine," said Cameron.
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