STORY: Erdogan, Zelensky hold talks in Istanbul
DATELINE: July 8, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:15
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP (English): ZEYNEP CERMEN, Xinhua reporter
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President
4. various of press conference
5. various of dry cargo ships

STORYLINE:

STANDUP (English): ZEYNEP CERMEN, Xinhua reporter
"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday in Istanbul, Türkiye's financial and cultural hub.
Erdogan welcomed Zelensky at the Vahdettin Palace, one of the historic venues on the Asian side of the city. Their meeting was held behind closed doors.
That is the first visit by the Ukrainian leader since the start of the crisis in February 2022, but he has often spoken on the phone with Erdogan, as Türkiye has pushed both Kiev and Moscow to resume peace talks.
The talks between the two leaders focused on a deal that allows Ukraine to export grain and other agricultural products from its Black Sea ports.
The deal brokered by Türkiye and the United Nations expires on July 17. The landmark visit also comes ahead of a key NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in the upcoming days, when Ukraine expects to receive a strong signal for its bid to join the Western alliance."

At a joint press conference held after their talks, Erdogan called for the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President
"We are making efforts to extend the duration of the Black Sea grain deal. We are working on how long we can extend this period after July 17."

Russia and Ukraine signed the deal, brokered by Türkiye and the United Nations, in Istanbul in July 2022. According to Erdogan, since then, almost 33 million tonnes of grain have been delivered to those in need.

Erdogan noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Türkiye next month and that he will discuss this issue with Putin face-to-face.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President
"We have made the most intensive efforts to bring the war between Russia and Ukraine to an end through negotiations on the basis of international law."

Zelensky said that Ukraine wants to implement a peace plan and that Türkiye is ready to assume leadership on this issue.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)