ANKARA
Turkey wants to end the war in Ukraine, the country’s first lady has said, calling for peace and joint efforts to prevent future conflicts around the world.
Ankara continues “to employ all diplomatic instruments at the highest level and to strive to end this war”, Emine Erdogan said in a video message to the second summit of first ladies and gentlemen held on Saturday in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.
The event – Ukraine and the World: The Future We (Re)Build Together – was hosted by Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska.
“I believe that rebuilding what war has destroyed and uniting so that the whole world is the strongest shield against future wars,” Erdogan said.
She said the war in Ukraine had pushed the number of refugees worldwide above 100 million, stressing that “while war affects everyone, women and children are disproportionately affected.”
She said children made up some 5 million people displaced by war in Ukraine.
“Türkiye hosts around 1,300 victims of the Ukrainian war, including orphans and their guardians,” she added.
After receiving a letter from Zelenska, Erdogan said she started an initiative where children receive psychological support and cultural activities are organized to help them cope with their traumatic experiences.
The Yunus Emre Institute in Türkiye has also launched Turkish lessons for around 1,200 of these children, she added.
Ukrainian children have also been included in national holiday celebrations in Turkey, while a three-day scientific, cultural and artistic event will be organized especially for them in the coming days, Erdogan said.
On humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and neighboring countries, she said Turkey has so far delivered 100 aid trucks to Ukraine and Moldova.
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