Ukraine's Ambassador to Ankara, Vasyl Bodnar, in his speech at the conference titled "Ukraine-Turkey: 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations" held at Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies (ANKASAM), stated that the history of relations between the two countries dates back to centuries.
Bodnar said that in the last 30 years, significant progress has been made in terms of developing relations between the two countries, and that Turkey and Ukraine have common interests.
"Both Ukraine and Turkey want to ensure stability and peace in our region. We work together to ensure this stability," Bodnar said.
Bodnar explained that Turkey and Ukraine are two countries with strong economies and that the trade between Ankara and Kiev is getting stronger.
"We are at the stage of signing the free trade agreement. Although there is no free trade agreement, our trade volume increased by 50 percent in 2021," Bodnar added.
Noting that Turkish business people are in a leading position in the implementation of large projects in Ukraine, Bodnar stated that more than 35 thousand Ukrainians reside in Turkey.
Bodnar said that it was a big mistake not to accept Ukraine in NATO in 2008,
"Under the circumstances of the day, when Russia is threatening Ukraine with war, Ukraine's membership in NATO is one of the strongest elements that can stop Russia. This (Ukraine's membership to NATO) will of course increase the security of NATO member countries," Bodnar said.
“WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN OUR ARMY”
Pointing out that the views that NATO would have to send troops to Ukraine if it becomes a member are wrong, Bodnar said, "Ukraine is ready to defend itself, but expects this understanding from both NATO and European countries. Russian aggression may not stay only in Ukraine, but may spread to other countries over time. The front line that exists in Ukraine today actually protects not only Ukraine but all of Europe from war."
Referring to the tension between Kiev and Moscow, Bodnar reminded that the conflicts have been going on for 8 years.
"Therefore, the presence of Russian soldiers on the Ukrainian border is not new to us, but what is new here is their number and their intentions. We are ready to negotiate in any format. And the Ukrainian side welcomed all previously existing formats. We are doing our best to resolve this crisis peacefully. On the other hand, we need to strengthen both our defense and the defense capacity of our army. We are prepared for the worst-case scenario, ready to defend ourselves," Bodnar added.
ANKASAM President Prof. Dr. Mehmet Seyfettin Erol also made evaluations on the relations between Turkey and Ukraine.
Stating that the relations between the peoples of the two countries are based on a very long period, Erol pointed out that the solidarity and brotherhood that Turkey and Ukraine have demonstrated in the region are important for regional and world politics and stability.
At the end of the program, ANKASAM President Erol presented a small gift to Bodnar.