Erdogan once mediator, now guarantor for Ukraine

Turkey is willing, in principle, to be a guarantor country for Ukraine, Turkish President Tayip Erdogan was quoted as saying by state television NTV, writes Sky News, follows Periscope.

Erdogan said details of such format should be clarified, adding that Moscow's decision to withdraw some of its troops around Kiev and Chernihiv was the truly important “”.

NATO member Turkey, which has good relations with the two countries, shares maritime borders with Ukraine and Russia on the Black Sea.

She has backed Ukraine, but has opposed Moscow, and this week she welcomed the two countries' negotiators for the first meeting face-to-face after weeks.

Speaking during the flight to Uzbekistan, Erdogan said the talks had brought a significant <x0mmentum” into the process.

“on the issue of guarantees, we can be one of the guarantor states for the security of Ukraine, in principle, we are ready for that, but of course these details should be formulated”, he added. / P ERISCOPI/