Turkey and Ukraine deepen strategic partnership, says Foreign Minister Fidan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Ukraine on July 16, 2026, for talks on strengthening bilateral strategic ties and peace efforts. On July 17, he described the visit as highly productive, stating that the strategic partnership is growing stronger. Key outcomes include Ukraine's parliamentary approval of a free trade agreement, which Fidan welcomed as an important milestone for economic partnership; reaffirmation of Turkey's support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and discussions on the Russia-Ukraine war, with Fidan expressing readiness to support initiatives for peace negotiations. Fidan met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Presidential Office head Kyrylo Budanov. He also met Crimean Tatar leaders Mustafa Abdulcemil Kirimoglu and Refat Chubarov, reiterating Turkey's commitment to protecting the rights and cultural identity of the Crimean Tatar community. Fidan was honored with a state decoration from Zelenskyy.