"We stated that we respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and do not recognize the annexation of its lands. We noted that this tragedy should be ended without more human casualties, and that solutions should be found through peaceful means and methods."

APA reports that this was said by the Minister of National Defense of Turkey, Hulusi Akar, after the meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine held on January 20 at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Akar said that from the first day of the war between Ukraine and Russia, his country did not let the warships of the parties into the strait in accordance with the Montreux Convention.

"If there is stability here, the main reason for this is the policy implemented by Turkey. With the meetings held by our President at the level of leaders, on the one hand, we ensured the exchange of prisoners, and on the other hand, the delivery of grain waiting in Ukrainian ports to those in need. So far, 18 million tons of grain have been transported from Ukrainian ports. We discussed many of them at the meeting. We stated that it is valuable and that the President's meetings with Putin and Zelensky played an important role in the implementation of these works," the Turkish minister said.

Akar noted that he had the opportunity to once again emphasize the importance and value of Turkey's efforts:

"Honorable NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, who took part in the meeting, confirms the importance of our actions within the framework of NATO."

Emphasizing that Turkey has done everything that needs to be done from a humanitarian point of view in the Ukraine-Russia war, Akar said that they will continue to work in this direction.