War in Ukraine could end easily if the US administration under Donald Trump takes a solution-based approach, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying on Friday, Reuters reports.
“We can easily end this war if we see a Trump administration that approaches the issue with a solution-based perspective. More dialogue, diplomacy, agreement will open the door to peace, not weapons, bombs and conflict,” Erdogan said.
He added in an in-flight interview with reporters on his way back from Budapest that efforts by Western countries, led by the United States, to end war in Ukraine would accelerate a solution to the conflict.
Trump said during campaigning that he could bring peace in Ukraine within 24 hours if elected, but has given few details on how he would seek to end the biggest land war in Europe since World War Two.
While supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, condemning its invasion by Russia, and providing it with military support, NATO member Turkey has also opposed Western sanctions on Russia, with which it has important relations in defence, energy and tourism.
Since March, Turkey has been calling for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine and offering to mediate.
“We are a country that has managed to bring both sides together around the same table. We have done this many times and can do it again,” Erdogan said.