Russian President Vladimir Putin should be encouraged to make an honourable exit to settle the conflict in Ukraine, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a release on Friday.

“We need to tell Putin now; he should be the architect of a step for peace.

“We should seek to settle this conflict by encouraging an honourable exit,” Mr Erdogan said on his return flight from Brussels after meeting with NATO leaders.

Mr Erdogan plans talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mr Putin to assess details of his NATO meeting.

Ankara sees itself as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict and has close relations with Ukraine and Russia.

Mr Erdogan recently invited Mr Putin for talks with Mr Zelensky in Turkey after the country hosted a foreign minister level summit for the first time since the war began.

A compromise between Kiev and Moscow, including Ukraine dropping its aspiration to join NATO and partial disarmament, is still possible, Mr Erdogan said.

The parties, however, remain at odds regarding territorial issues, he added.

As far as Western sanctions on Russia are concerned, he said “nothing can be done” by Turkey to add pressure due to dependence on Russian energy, among other key economic ties.

Russia remains the top supplier of gas for Turkey.

It also sent the highest number of tourists to Turkey in 2022 and is jointly building Turkey’s first nuclear power plant.

“I cannot leave my citizens out in the cold.

“I cannot set our industry to zero.

“We must preserve these interests,” Mr Erdogan added. 

(dpa/NAN)