Leaders of Germany, Turkey press for cease-fire in Ukraine

By ZEYNEP BILGINSOY and FRANK JORDANS

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey and Germany pledged Monday to continue diplomatic work for a cease-fire in Ukraine, while emphasizing the importance of their bilateral ties and the NATO partnership. Speaking after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted his country’s relations with Moscow, which saw Turkey host a meeting last weekbetween the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine. Scholz stressed the need for a diplomatic solution to the Russian war in Ukraine and called on Russia to immediately stop its attacks. He praised Turkey for closing the Bosphorus to warships from parties to the conflict in Ukraine, a move that mainly affects Russia’s access to the Mediterranean from the Black Sea.