Ankara, November 19 (QNA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that the Istanbul talks constitute a crucial platform for ending the Russian-Ukrainian war through diplomatic means.

During a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, Erdogan added that it is beneficial to activate the Istanbul process to end the war with a broader scope that addresses the increasingly complex problems.

He affirmed that Turkiye is always ready to hold talks with Russia on proposals that would expedite a ceasefire and pave the way for a just and lasting peace.

For his part, the Ukrainian President expressed his country's confidence in the strength of Turkish diplomacy, emphasizing that it carries weight in the Russian capital, Moscow.

Zelensky said he hopes to resume prisoner exchanges with Russia by the end of the year, stressing that Turkiye is providing significant assistance in this endeavor.

Earlier today, the Turkish President met with his Ukrainian counterpart in Ankara, where they held a round of talks attended by several senior officials from both countries.

It is worth noting that no direct talks have been held between Kyiv and Moscow since a meeting held in Istanbul last July. (QNA)