Ukraine turns to Turkey as Russia threatens full-scale war

Ukrainian President Zelensky meets Turkey’s Erdogan at a time of heightened Russia-Ukraine tensions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Istanbul over the weekend to mark the 10th anniversary of his country’s strategic partnership with Turkey and shore up support from his Black Sea neighbour as tensions escalate with Russia over Ukraine’s simmering war in Donbas. “Turkey’s support for the restoration of our sovereignty and territorial integrity is extremely important,” Zelensky stated in a joint press-conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Following a meeting with the Turkish leader, Zelensky tweeted, “We share common values with #Turkey, including human life and support.”