The Ukrainian delegation met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara ahead of crucial talks with the Russian side in Istanbul.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, referencing the Telegram channel of the Head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak.

According to Yermak, during the discussions with Erdogan:

• positions were coordinated before the meeting with the Russian side in Istanbul;
• the issues of security cooperation, regional stability challenges, and prospects for further defense collaboration between Ukraine and Turkey were raised;
• the importance of a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky, Erdogan, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Putin was highlighted for advancing to real negotiations about ending the war.