Iran Ready to Contribute to Political Settlement of Ukraine War
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The foreign minister of Iran voiced support for political solutions to the crisis in Ukraine, saying Tehran is prepared to contribute to any process for ending the war through political approaches.
In a telephone conversation on Monday, Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu talked about the latest developments in Tehran-Ankara relations, as well as some regional and international issues, including the Ukraine crisis.
The two ministers exchanged greetings on behalf of the presidents of the two countries and referred to the upcoming visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Tehran to develop bilateral ties.
Wishing success for Turkey in holding a meeting in the Antalya Diplomatic Assembly and the three-way talks by the foreign ministers of Turkey, Russia and Ukraine, Amirabdollahian said a delegation from the Iranian Foreign Ministry will also attend the Antalya Diplomatic Assembly.
"We support a political solution in Ukraine and a political initiative to stop the war and to focus on a diplomatic settlement, and we are ready to help advance this process," the Iranian minister said.
For his part, Cavusoglu emphasized the need for effective and tangible steps in advancing bilateral relations between Tehran and Ankara with the support of the two presidents.
He also voiced his country’s opposition to sanctions against countries, saying sanctions are not the solution to any problem.
The Turkish foreign minister also expressed concern over the escalation of the Ukraine crisis, the possibility of a humanitarian catastrophe and the rising tide of refugees and migrants in the country.
He said the aim of holding the trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey and Ukraine is to establish ceasefire in the region and permanent peace, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website reported.
On February 24, Russia started an all-out military operation in Ukraine after leaders of the self-proclaimed republic in the Donbass region called for assistance in the face of shelling by Kiev’s army. Moscow had just recognized the sovereignty of the breakaway republics.
Moscow says the goal of the invasion is to “demilitarize” and “de-Nazify” Ukraine.
According to UN estimates, more than 1.7 million civilians have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries.