German-Turkish appeal for ceasefire in Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan jointly called for a ceasefire in the Russian war in Ukraine. “We are both President Erdogan and I, completely unanimous in our condemnation of Russia’s violent intervention in Ukraine,” Scholz said during his first visit as chancellor to Turkey. Safe corridors for civilians should also be established immediately. Erdogan stressed: “We will continue our efforts for a lasting ceasefire.” We are of the opinion that diplomatic efforts should continue.

Scholz and Erdogan jointly addressed an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin: “Reflect.” Scholz said: “With each passing day, with each bombing, Russia is moving further and further away from the circle of the international community that we are creating together.” Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are unquestionable. “We will work closely with Turkey as a NATO partner in the conflict,” Scholz said.

Turkey considers itself a mediator in the Ukraine conflict. This NATO country has close relations with Kiev and Moscow. On Thursday, the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Russia, Dmytro Kuleba and Sergey Lavrov, met for the first time since the start of the war in Antlya. The talks were closed without concrete results.

Zelensky will talk directly with Putin

“Our delegation has a clear mandate – to do everything possible to enable a meeting of the presidents,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video speech released Monday morning (March 14). It is a meeting that everyone is looking forward to. The road to its realization is difficult, but necessary, to get effective guarantees. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Sunday (March 13th) did not rule out a direct meeting between the Russian head of state and Zelensky. We must understand, however, what the outcome of this meeting should be and what will be discussed.

At the last meeting, representatives of the two delegations of Ukraine and Russia praised the talks with restrained optimism. Both sides, as they say, “in the coming days can agree on common positions” and sign the relevant documents, said Russian politician Leonid Sluzki. Adviser to the Ukrainian president, Mychajlo Podoljak, also predicts “results in a few days.”

Destruction in Kiev

Meanwhile the capital Kiev continues to be under artillery attacks. Two people were killed during the Russian attacks on various areas of the city, according to local administration data. Fierce exchanges of fighting, according to Ukrainian civil defense data, have taken place in the north and east of the metropolis. People can now leave Kiev only through the roads leading to the south./DW

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