In a phone call with the Russian defense chief, Turkiye's national defense minister on Thursday emphasized the urgency of the safe evacuation of civilians, especially in Mariupol, Ukraine.
Hulusi Akar underlined to Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu the importance of reaching a cease-fire to help efforts for a diplomatic solution in Ukraine, as well as the "urgency of the safe evacuation of civilians, especially in Mariupol, from the land or sea," according to a statement by the Turkish National Defense Ministry.
Akar also reiterated Turkiye's commitment to keep doing its part to ensure peace in the region.
