Senior Turkish diplomat and President of the 75th United Nations General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir, warned in his recent interview with South that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict is deepening divisions across Europe, and urged all parties to pursue an immediate peaceful resolution.
"I think we should immediately find a solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine," Bozkir said, noting that Türkiye has maintained constructive relations with both countries and has consistently advocated for dialogue and peace negotiations.
He pointed out that a potential peace settlement was within reach several years ago during the Istanbul peace talks, arguing that many elements of the proposals discussed at the time closely resembled those being considered today. The failure to capitalize on that opportunity, he said, resulted in years of unnecessary conflict and lost time.
Bozkir stressed that the war has had far-reaching global consequences. As major suppliers of oil, natural gas, grain, fertilizers, and key players in maritime transport, Russia and Ukraine play critical roles in the global economy. The prolonged conflict has disrupted food and energy supplies, contributing to economic uncertainty and social challenges around the world.
He also highlighted growing divisions within Europe over the conflict, noting that European countries have adopted divergent stances on support for Ukraine. In this context, Türkiye remains one of the few countries that have maintained working relations with both sides.
Despite the challenges, Bozkir expressed optimism that a comprehensive peace agreement can eventually be reached. He said such an outcome could serve as a valuable precedent for resolving other regional conflicts and disputes worldwide.
Reporter | Mao Shujie
Video editor & cover designer | Lu Xiao
Video Script & text | Mao Shujie, Liu Xiaodi
