The Kremlin said the leaders held a detailed discussion about the Russian initiative and Erdogan expressed full support, reiterating Turkey’s readiness to provide a venue and assist in organizing the negotiations.
Erdogan told Macron that international cooperation is critical for initiating peace negotiations and the "sensitive implementation" of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction processes, the Turkish Presidency reported.
The assault began around 2 a.m. on May 11, with Russian forces deploying 108 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy UAVs from multiple directions, Ukraine’s Air Force said.
"Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending 'bloodbath' hopefully comes to an end... I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens."
U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce called for "concrete proposals from both sides" in order for Washington to "move forward" in peace negotiations.
"If they speak to each other in Russian, he doesn't know what they are saying," one Western official told NBC News. Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, called Witkoff's approach "a very bad idea."
A TV screen shows an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (R) with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) at Pyongyang during a news program at the Yongsanl Railway Station in Seoul. (Photo by KIM Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea would violate UN resolutions aimed at restricting North Korea's nuclear program, US State Department official Vedant Patel said at an Aug. 15 press briefing.
"Our concerns persist as North Korea continues its assistance to Russia's invasive war against Ukraine," he stated.
Patel also added that Moscow is compelled to rely on countries such as North Korea and Iran for military support. According to the State Department, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang recently to convince North Korea to sell more munitions to Russia.
Patel emphasized that "any security cooperation or arms trade between North Korea and Russia will violate a series of United Nations Security Council resolutions."
In addition to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's prior declaration of "complete backing" for Russia's actions in Ukraine, Moscow apparently initiated talks with Pyongyang regarding the provision of food in return for weaponry.
Maria Yeryoma
