On August 14, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betsa held a meeting with H.E. Mr Mustafa Levent Bilgen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to Ukraine, who is completing his distinguished diplomatic mission in Ukraine.

Mariana Betsa expressed gratitude to Türkiye for its consistent support for Ukraine and particularly noted the Ambassador’s significant personal contribution to the development and strengthening of Ukrainian-Turkish relations throughout his diplomatic mission in our country.

The parties discussed the current agenda and underscored the importance of further cooperation not only at the bilateral but also at the multilateral level, particularly within the framework of the United Nations.

The interlocutors paid particular attention to the humanitarian consequences of the war, including the issue of the unlawful transfer and forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia. Mariana Betsa invited the Turkish side to consider joining the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, emphasizing the importance of consolidating international efforts to ensure their safe return in accordance with international law.

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed her sincere gratitude to the Ambassador and the Turkish diplomatic mission for their unwavering support and solidarity, which are especially valuable at this difficult time for Ukraine, and wished him every success and significant professional achievements in his new diplomatic post.