Zelensky thanks Erdoğan for his non-recognition of sham referenda.

During a telephone conversation, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his principled stance on the non-recognition of sham referenda held by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories.

As the press service of the Head of State informs, Zelensky thanked the Turkish side for its unwavering support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, which was confirmed, in particular, in the speech of the President of Türkiye at the opening of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Zelensky highly appreciated the personal role of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in organizing the recent exchange of prisoners of war and providing shelter to Ukrainian commanders in Türkiye. For his part, Erdoğan assured Zelensky that all necessary conditions would be created for those released, as well as for relatives who will visit them.

The President of Ukraine thanked official Ankara for its principled position on the non-recognition of sham referenda.

"The goal of the illegal sham referenda that Russia held in the occupied territories of Ukraine is the annexation of new Ukrainian lands. The world community must give the toughest possible response to Russia's actions," the Head of State said.

During the conversation, Türkiye’s key role in organizing the work of the grain initiative and establishing the export of Ukrainian agricultural products through the Black Sea was noted, the President’s Office informs. The parties noted that since its launch, 235 ships with 5.4 million tonnes of agricultural products bound for the countries of Asia, Europe and Africa have left Ukrainian ports. Hope was expressed for the further smooth functioning of the grain initiative to prevent the global food crisis.

Separately, the leaders touched upon the situation at the ZNPP. Erdoğan expressed readiness to contribute to international efforts to prevent the nuclear threat.

The presidents also discussed bilateral contacts to be held in the near future.

As reported, the Russian invaders announced the results of sham referenda they held in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine on September 23-27. According to them, more than 97% of voters allegedly supported joining Russia.

The international community did not recognize the legitimacy of such a staged "expression of will".

On September 21, more than 200 Ukrainian defenders returned from Russian captivity within the prisoner swap. The five freed Azov Regiment commanders will remain in Turkey under the personal security guarantees of President Erdoğan until the end of the full-scale war.

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