Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Visit to Türkiye (November 2025)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Visit to Türkiye (2025) was a diplomatic visit held in Ankara on 19 November 2025 with the aim of intensifying negotiations toward ending the Russia-Ukraine War. During the visit, bilateral talks were held with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, addressing issues such as the revitalization of the Istanbul Process, ceasefire arrangements, and prisoner exchanges.

Announcement and Purpose of the Visit

On 18 November 2025, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would undertake a working visit to Türkiye. According to Duran’s statement, the talks in Ankara were expected to cover bilateral agenda items within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as recent developments regarding the Russia-Ukraine War, the Istanbul Process, efforts to establish a ceasefire, and initiatives toward a lasting resolution.

The diplomatic framework of the visit was grounded in the objective of intensifying negotiations aimed at ending the war. Prior to the visit, Zelenskyy stated on his social media account: “Tomorrow we have talks in Türkiye. We are preparing to intensify negotiations and working on solutions to present to our allies.” In the same post, he emphasized that accelerating the end of the war is Ukraine’s top priority and that efforts are underway to restart processes related to prisoner exchanges.

A day before the visit, on 18 November 2025, Zelenskyy held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. According to a statement from Kyiv, these discussions were intended to strengthen Ukraine’s diplomatic initiatives ahead of the negotiations in Türkiye.

Arrival in Ankara and Official Program

Zelenskyy’s Arrival in Ankara

On 19 November 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara as part of his working visit to Türkiye. As part of his program, Zelenskyy visited Anıtkabir. Accompanied by his delegation, he walked past the Misak-ı Milli Tower to the mausoleum of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, laid a wreath, and observed a moment of silence.

Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the Ukrainian President, stated on his Telegram account regarding the visit to Türkiye: “All planned meetings are taking place on schedule and in a productive atmosphere.”

In the same statement, Yermak noted that Ukraine maintains continuous communication with the U.S. administration, adding: “We are working alongside our American allies to halt Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and to achieve a fair and lasting peace.”

Official Welcome Ceremony and Bilateral Talks at the Presidential Complex

On 19 November 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was officially welcomed at the Presidential Complex by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. President Erdoğan received Zelenskyy at the entrance of the complex, and the two leaders posed for photographs in front of the Turkish and Ukrainian flags on the staircase.

Following the welcome ceremony, Erdoğan and Zelenskyy proceeded to bilateral talks. The Turkish delegation included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Head of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Ibrahim Kalın, and Presidential Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç.

Content of the Talks and Joint Press Conference

President Erdoğan’s Statements

On 19 November 2025, at the Presidential Complex, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, assessed the Russia-Ukraine War and elaborated on Türkiye’s diplomatic approach. In his remarks, Erdoğan stated: “We believe it would be beneficial for the Istanbul Process to be reactivated with a broader agenda to address the acute issues at hand. We expect all our partners who wish to stop the bloodshed in the region to adopt a constructive approach toward the Istanbul Process.”

Erdoğan recalled that Türkiye had previously hosted negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian delegations, stating, “Immediately after the Ukrainian President’s visit in May, we hosted direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations that had begun over three years ago. In the three rounds of negotiations conducted, progress was made, particularly on humanitarian issues. Moreover, direct discussions on ceasefire and peace as well as military matters were possible between the parties.”

President Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, saying, “We once again confirm our steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. In this context, I wish to emphasize that our support for the Crimean Tatars, who share with Ukraine an exceptional historical and cultural bond, will continue.”

Addressing the development of economic ties between the two countries, Erdoğan said, “Despite all the challenges of the war, we aim to increase our bilateral trade volume to 10 billion dollars. With the support of Turkish entrepreneurs who have courageously continued their operations in the country despite these difficult conditions, we wish to contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.”

Erdoğan also emphasized Türkiye’s diplomatic role, adding, “We are always ready to engage with Russia on proposals that pave the way for a just and lasting peace. In this regard, we value the involvement of our ally the United States in the process.” At the end of his speech, President Erdoğan conveyed his condolences to the Ukrainian people, saying, “As I conclude these remarks, I reiterate my condolences to our friend the Ukrainian people for those who lost their lives in the war.”

Zelenskiy’s Statements

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked Türkiye for its stance and support during the war in his address at the joint press conference. He said, “Türkiye’s position regarding the Russian war against our state and people is of great importance to Ukraine. I wish to thank you for your cooperation. This cooperation is real. I thank Türkiye for its clear stance against all key elements of this tragedy and this Russian aggression, and for helping us protect our lives. I also wish to thank Türkiye for supporting Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.”

Referring to Russian attacks, Zelenskiy stated, “The world has witnessed what Russian aggression has brought. A new Russian attack was launched against our cities. Russian unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles directly hit residential buildings. In the city of Ternopil alone, more than 20 people lost their lives due to the attack.”

The Ukrainian leader, speaking about the pursuit of peace for his country, said, “The war must end and there is no alternative to peace. However, Russia must understand that war and killing civilians can never be rewarded. Furthermore, Russia must not retain any possibility of launching a similar war against Ukraine or any other country in our region or neighboring areas. We share this view with Türkiye.” In his assessment of Turkish diplomacy, Zelenskiy added, “We rely on the strength of Turkish diplomacy and its ability to be understood in Moscow. Türkiye’s active participation in the Coalition of Willing, particularly in the military maritime component, is also of great importance.”

Zelenskiy also provided detailed information on efforts regarding prisoner exchanges, saying, “We are making great efforts to restart prisoner exchanges to enable the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war, Ukrainian civilians, and especially Crimean Tatar political and religious detainees to their homes. Of course, we are also working for the return of abducted Ukrainian children. We have established platforms in Türkiye for these efforts. We are currently working on this issue to bring our people back. We hope to restart prisoner exchanges and return a significant number of prisoners by the end of the year.”

Zelenskiy referred to previous talks under the Istanbul Process, stating, “Under the Istanbul Process, negotiations led to the return or the adoption of decisions for the return of over two thousand of our soldiers. Of course, we must accelerate these diplomatic efforts.”

Statements Following the Meeting

Director of Communications for the Presidency Burhanettin Duran made statements regarding the meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Ankara. In his post, Duran stated: “During the meeting between President Erdoğan and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy on his working visit to Türkiye, critical issues attracting global attention were addressed. The discussions covered not only our bilateral relations with our strategic partner Ukraine but also recent developments in the Russia-Ukraine war. Efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire and establishing lasting peace, beginning with the Istanbul Process, were comprehensively reviewed.”

Duran also commented on Türkiye’s diplomatic position: “Türkiye, with its geopolitical standing and multifaceted diplomatic capacity, is today one of the key actors in global peace. It is among the rare nations capable of engaging simultaneously with all parties, building trust and creating a foundation for solutions through a fair and balanced approach.”

Referring to the leadership of President Erdoğan, Duran said: “Our President Mr. Erdoğan’s strong leadership possesses the capacity to shape diplomatic processes not only regionally but also globally. This leadership, advancing with both humanitarian sensitivity and determination, places Türkiye at the center of peace diplomacy. Under the leadership of our President, Türkiye will continue to assume a critical role for the international community and remain the voice of peace and the pioneer of solutions.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made a post on his social media account following his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. Zelenskiy stated: “Everyone knows how vital security in the Black Sea is, and only Türkiye can ensure this security.”

Zelenskiy further added in his post: “We also addressed the state of diplomacy. We aim to direct all our efforts toward an honorable peace and guaranteed security.”

The Ukrainian leader expressed gratitude to Türkiye for its support: “I am grateful to Türkiye and personally to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for this support. We value the trust between us and between our peoples and have confidence in the strength of Turkish diplomacy.”

Zelenskiy also addressed the issue of prisoner exchanges: “We will continue close coordination and efforts with all our partners. We are working to secure the exchange of war prisoners and the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war, Ukrainian civilians detained by Russia, and abducted Ukrainian children to their homeland before the new year.”