Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke by phone with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine on Wednesday.

“The call addressed the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war. President Erdoğan noted that he is very glad since the exchange of war prisoners between Russia and Ukraine has been carried out successfully after a long period of preparation,” Turkish Presidency said in a statement.

Drawing attention to the successful functioning of the agreement on Ukrainian grain's shipment through the Black Sea, Erdoğan stressed that a similar approach can be taken as regards the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as well, and reiterated Türkiye's offer to act as a mediator and facilitator for the formation of a demilitarized zone around the power plant.

Holding unilateral referendums in Ukrainian regions that are under Russian control will undermine efforts aimed at reviving the diplomatic process, Erdoğan stressed, adding that Türkiye stands ready to provide every kind of support for the settlement of the war through peaceful negotiations. (ILKHA)