Zelensky discusses Middle East situation with Erdogan, Qatari emir

MOSCOW. Oct 23 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan have discussed the Middle East situation by phone and agreed that it is necessary to ensure security of the civilian population and respect for humanitarian law.

"President Erdogan and I have discussed the Middle East and agreed that it is necessary to ensure security of civilians and respect for humanitarian law," Ukrainian media quoted Zelensky as saying on a social network.

Speaking of food security, Zelensky said, "Ukraine stays committed to its role of a guarantor of the global food security and ensures the functioning of the Black Sea grain corridor."

In turn, the Turkish Directorate of Communications said on social media that the conversation touched upon the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the humanitarian crisis in the region among other matters. "Having declared the possibility of a peaceful settlement of regional conflicts, including the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, President Erdogan said that Turkey would continue to take the utmost effort towards that objective."

Ukrainian media also reported with the reference to the Zelensky website that the president had spoken with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani by phone. He thanked the emir for humanitarian support from Qatar, including $100 million for the strengthening of the Ukrainian energy industry and the provision of equipment for emergency and surgery units.

The sides discussed the situation in the Middle East and agreed on the need for efforts towards de-escalation of the conflict, the search for peace and the protection of the civilian population. The Ukrainian president noted the importance of unhampered operation of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians and deliveries of humanitarian cargo.