KYIV: UN Chief and Presidents of Turkey and Ukraine have discussed ways to end war started by Russia and secure Europe’s largest nuclear power station, as Russia and Ukraine traded accusations of new shelling near plant. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters after talks in Lviv, Ukraine he was gravely concerned about circumstances at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and called for military equipment and personnel to be withdrawn.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he, Guterres and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy discussed building on a recent positive atmosphere to revive peace negotiations with Russia that took place in Istanbul in March. In a deal brokered by United Nations and Turkey, Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement in July for Russia to lift a blockade of Ukrainian grain shipments and exports resumed at beginning of August. NATO member

Turkey has maintained good relations with Russia, an important trade partner and sought to mediate in conflict, which began six months ago when Russian forces invaded neighbouring Ukraine. “Personally, I maintain my belief that war will ultimately end at negotiating table. Mr Zelenskiy and Mr Guterres have the same opinion in this regard,” Erdogan said. There was no immediate comment from Moscow. At same time, US President Joe Biden’s administration is readying about $ 800 million of additional military aid to Ukraine and could announce it as soon as Friday, three sources familiar with matter said.  

Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev, writing on Telegram, said Russian anti-aircraft forces downed a Ukrainian drone and no damage occurred.–Agencies

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 20 2022

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