President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye discussed the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vučić.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Vučić in Belgrade, Erdoğan said, "We addressed regional and global issues with Mr. Vučić. During the meeting, I reiterated my support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. I informed my counterpart that Türkiye is determined to continue efforts to achieve lasting peace (in Ukraine)."
The Turkish leader also emphasised Gaza and the actions of the Israeli army. Erdoğan added, "Israeli government's attacks that destroy human lives and dignity must be stopped. The root of the problem is Israel's ongoing occupation of Palestine. For this reason, an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with territorial integrity based on the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital must be established."
Erdoğan highlighted that "nine additional countries have recognised Palestine as a state" since the conflict began in Gaza a year ago.
Erdoğan continued, "I reiterate our call to the countries that have not yet done so to recognise the state of Palestine. The international community bears the responsibility for sending the right message to Israel to end the massacre."