Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared that a new geopolitical order is taking shape with Trkiye at its core, as global dynamics evolve and regional power balances are reconfigured. He made this statement during a speech at the Organization Academy Leadership School in Ankara, emphasizing the changing world landscape and Trkiye's pivotal role in this transformation.
According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan highlighted his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the presidential complex in Ankara. The discussions centered on efforts to achieve a just peace to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Zelenskyy expressed his respect for Erdogan and former US President Donald Trump, announcing that he would send a delegation to Istanbul for the upcoming peace talks, led by Ukraine's minister of defense.
The meeting between Erdogan and Zelenskyy, which included a closed-door session and an inter-delegation working lunch, lasted for 2 hours and 45 minutes. Key Turkish officials, including National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, National Intelligence Organization head Ibrahim Kalin, and chief presidential advisor on foreign policy and security Akif Cagatay Kilic, were present.
Erdogan also participated in a four-way meeting via videoconference with US President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Additionally, he has been in communication with leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Erdogan is scheduled to travel to Albania to attend the European Political Community meeting.
Addressing the recent announcement by the PKK to disband, Erdogan described it as a significant step towards ending decades of violence. He emphasized that the National Intelligence Organization would monitor the disarmament process closely, maintaining a cautious approach towards those abandoning terrorism and violence. Erdogan reaffirmed Trkiye's firm stance on border security, asserting that the country would not tolerate terror groups along its borders with Iraq or Syria.
Erdogan stressed the historical and geographical bonds between Turks, Kurds, and Arabs, advocating for unity to bring peace, stability, and prosperity to the region. He criticized imperialist powers for attempting to divide the region, declaring that the era of using terrorism and relying on foreign actors is over. Over its 40-year campaign, the PKK has been responsible for over 40,000 deaths in Trkiye, including women, children, infants, and the elderly. The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by Trkiye, the US, and the EU, with the PKK/YPG being its Syrian branch.