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Turkey, Ukraine Sign Military Cooperation Agreements

Associated Press

   ISTANBUL - Turkey and Ukraine signed military cooperation agreements in
   Istanbul on Friday, deepening a defense partnership seen as an effort
   to counterbalance Russia's dominance in the Black Sea region.

   Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Turkey's Recep Tayyip
   Erdogan oversaw the signing of a "goodwill" agreement concerning the
   defense industry and a "military framework agreement," officials said,
   although details of the agreements were not immediately known.

   "Turkey sees Ukraine as a key country for the establishment [of]
   stability, security, peace and prosperity in the region," Erdogan said
   following the signing ceremony between the two Black Sea nations that
   have been enhancing military ties in recent years.

   Zelenskiy said the agreements pave the way for "new opportunities."

   "Cooperation in the defense industry is important for the development
   of our strategic partnership and I am happy that we are strengthening
   it today," he said, speaking through an interpreter.

   Last year, Ukraine reached an agreement for the purchase of
   Turkish-made drones. The two countries are also reportedly engaged in
   discussions to develop an aircraft engine.

   The signing of the agreements comes as the conflict in the Caucasus
   over Nagorno-Karabakh is putting a strain on Turkey's relations with
   Russia. Turkey has backed Azerbaijan in the dispute, while Russia has a
   military base in Armenia and a security pact requiring Moscow to
   intervene if its ally is attacked.

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