Ukraine and Turkey on Thursday signed a series of agreements — including a deal that will expand the production capabilities of Turkish drone-maker Baykar, which saw its drones deployed last year in Kiev’s war against Russian-backed separatists in its eastern Donbass region.
The two countries signed eight agreements, which also included a trade deal that Kiev says will boost bilateral trade to around $10bn over the next five years.
“[The] defence industry and aviation are the main driving force for our strategic partnership,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters.
“Baykar will expand its production of unmanned aerial vehicles in Ukraine, and Ukraine will strengthen its defence capabilities with these new technologies and jobs.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has a close — but sometimes fraught — relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reiterated Ankara’s support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine as tensions Moscow continue to escalate.
“Our visit takes place in a sensitive time,” he said. “I would like to reiterate that we are supporting the Ukrainian sovereignty over Crimea.”
Erdogan added that Turkey would like to be a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, who he sees as “two friendly neighbours”.
Commenti