Turkey is ready to allocate ships to organize the evacuation of civilians and the wounded from Mariupol by sea. This was stated on Saturday by Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar.
According to him, the Turkish side in this matter is coordinating its actions with the structures of Russia and Ukraine.
“Ankara’s readiness to support the evacuation process was brought to the attention of the Russian military attache in Turkey, who was invited to our defense department. A similar initiative has been handed over to Russian authorities through the Turkish military attaché in Moscow. We are also coordinating our efforts with Ukrainian institutions through the military attache in this country,” Akar said.
Akar noted that Turkey continues to deliver humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people.
The head of the Turkish defense department recalled that in recent weeks he had repeatedly spoken by phone with Russian and Ukrainian colleagues, Sergei Shoigu and Alexei Reznikov. According to him, he also had a personal meeting in Istanbul with Reznikov.
“In order to prevent further bloodshed and restore stability, it is important to immediately declare a ceasefire,” Akar stressed.
The Turkish minister announced active contacts with the Russian Federation and Ukraine and on the issue of the safe exit of Turkish ships from Ukrainian ports.
Regarding the mine threat in the Black Sea, Akar noted that at the moment there are no problems for shipping.