Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed significant concern over the country's declining fertility rate, describing it as a 'disaster' during his address at the Family and Culture-Arts Symposium in Ankara. The president highlighted the mounting challenges facing the family institution and emphasized the need for measures against gender-neutrality impositions and LGBT movements, asserting that Trkiye will not make any concessions on these issues. He pointed out that global capitalism and cultural imperialism are intensifying challenges to the family structure, with the country's fertility rate dropping to 1.48 last year, a figure that Erdogan says is 'sounding loud alarm bells for our future.'
According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan stressed that the demographic crisis is a pressing issue for Trkiye, urging those who care about the nation's destiny to take notice. The president's remarks come amid broader discussions on how to safeguard traditional family values in the face of global cultural shifts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received a draft plan from the United States intended to revive peace talks with Russia, Ukrainian officials announced. The plan aims to rekindle stalled negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, potentially intensifying diplomatic efforts. Zelenskyy, who received the draft during a meeting, outlined key principles important to Kyiv and expressed readiness to work on the plan's points. The Ukrainian Presidential Office indicated support for proposals from US President Donald Trump to end the conflict, highlighting ongoing collaboration with Washington and other global partners.
In addition, the White House has confirmed that the US will not participate in the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa. Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman, clarified that the US is not involved in official talks at the event, following comments by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding a possible change in US participation. Leavitt's remarks underscored a diplomatic strain, criticizing the language used by Ramaphosa about the US and its president.