EPC Summit Plans, Strategic Ukraine-Turkey Ties, and Russia’s Snub: Key Takeaways from Zelenskyy-Erdogan Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held high-level talks in Ankara on the eve of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Tirana, Albania. The meeting resulted in a series of significant announcements, The Gaze reports, citing European Pravda.

A joint decision to attend the EPC summit together

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed his participation in the upcoming European Political Community (EPC) summit, set to take place in Tirana, Albania, on May 16. According to Zelenskyy, he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to travel together to the summit, which will convene over 40 heads of state and government from across the continent. “This summit has been planned for some time, and we expect a strong presence of European leadership,” Zelenskyy noted.

The previous EPC summit took place in Budapest in November 2024. This week’s gathering in Tirana is expected to focus heavily on security in Eastern Europe, the future of European defense cooperation, and continued support for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing aggression.

Renewed commitments to strengthen bilateral cooperation

In remarks following the meeting with Erdogan, Zelenskyy described the talks as “productive and strategic,” noting that discussions centered on security guarantees, ceasefire monitoring, maritime demining, Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction, and enhanced bilateral cooperation. 

Ukrainian President emphasized that both leaders focused primarily on securing peace and ensuring effective coordination in upcoming negotiations. “We will continue close cooperation to ensure the talks bring real results,” he stated. “I appreciate that we share a common vision on most of these crucial issues.”

Sharp criticism of Russia’s approach to peace talks in Istanbul

Zelenskyy also strongly criticized the Russian Federation for its lack of seriousness ahead of the peace talks in Istanbul, set to take place later today. While Ukraine is sending a senior delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Moscow has delegated assistant to the president Vladimir Medinsky, a decision that Zelenskyy labeled as “a demonstration of disrespect” not only toward Ukraine but also toward Turkey and the United States.

“The absence of President Putin, the lack of a clear agenda, and the low-level delegation – all of this signals that Russia is not genuinely interested in dialogue. Meanwhile, the United States is represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Turkey by its Foreign Minister. Where is the Russian leadership?” Zelenskyy asked.

In general, Zelenskyy’s trip to Ankara underscored a deepening Ukraine-Turkey partnership, with both leaders announcing joint participation in the EPC summit, reaffirming cooperation on defense, demining, and reconstruction, and expressing strong disapproval of Russia’s lack of commitment to meaningful peace talks in Istanbul.