Ukraine’s defense minister invites Türke to join ‘maritime coalition’

The minister said this at a meeting with the newly appointed Turkish Ambassador to Ukraine, Mustafa Levent Bilgen, Ukrinform reports, citing the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

"We are grateful to Türke for supporting Ukraine from day one of the full-scale invasion in the matter of ensuring security in the Black Sea. We invite Türke to join the maritime coalition," Umerov said.

Both parties also discussed potential coeration in defense production.

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Bilgen stressed that Turkey's all-round support for Ukraine would continue.

The efforts of the maritime capability coalition, the creation of which was initiated by the United Kingdom and Norway, are aimed at stping Russia's interference in the freedom of navigation, particularly in the functioning of the Black Sea grain export corridor.