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Ukraine’s Ambassador to Ankara Nariman Celal expressed hope that Türkiye will continue standing by Ukraine in ensuring stability in the Black Sea, achieving peace and supporting the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency about Türkiye-Ukraine relations and the Russia-Ukraine war, Celal said ties between the two countries are progressing positively.
“We have strategic cooperation. There are very intensive contacts and agreements between the two countries in many different areas of the economy,” he said.
Celal also thanked Türkiye for its diplomatic efforts, saying they have earned appreciation from both Ukraine and the wider international community.
“Inshallah, from ensuring stability in the Black Sea to achieving peace, and from supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, Türkiye will continue to stand by our side in all areas,” he said.
He added that the embassy is fulfilling its duties by providing all forms of assistance to both Turkish and Ukrainian companies so both countries benefit mutually from bilateral relations.
Celal stated that Ukraine’s primary goal in the negotiations is to achieve peace and end the war as quickly as possible.
“If we are to reach peace and sign an agreement, our first expectation is to save our people, regain our territories and reach mutual understanding on the fundamental issues under discussion,” he said.
He emphasized that negotiations have been ongoing since the first day of the war, even as the geography and actors involved have shifted.
“In 2025, diplomatic traffic was intense in Türkiye. Today we speak of the United Arab Emirates, Europe and America. But throughout this process, one common element remains: Ukraine’s sincere will to reach peace as soon as possible,” he said.
Celal noted that Ukraine’s leadership has repeatedly stated it could consider certain concessions to protect lives and stop losses caused by the war, but these would not include “red lines.”
He listed those red lines as territorial integrity, non-recognition of regions temporarily occupied by Russia, the continuation of bombardment of civilian cities and the need for effective security guarantees.
Security guarantees, he said, must be represented by a predictable and effective mechanism capable of genuinely preventing future Russian attacks.
Celal also pointed to some progress in negotiations, particularly in military and humanitarian areas, saying that in 2026 a prisoner exchange involving soldiers and civilians was carried out.
“We hope these steps will continue to increase,” he said.
However, Celal argued that the process has not produced sufficient results because, in his view, Russia does not genuinely seek peace.
“Even while negotiations continued day by day, they did not stop drone and air attacks on Ukraine’s civilian cities for a single day. This reveals their real intentions,” he said.
Celal also extended Ramadan greetings to the Muslim world, expressing hope that all wars will come to an end.
“Inshallah, every war in the world will end. We all pray for this,” he said.
Highlighting the sincere relations between Türkiye and Ukraine, he added, “May God grant us resilience and solidarity. Inshallah, we will all live in a world at peace. Happy Ramadan to all.”
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