Turkey Ready To Send Peacekeeping Forces To Ukraine

Turkish special forces participated in the Victory Parade in Baku. (Wikimedia Commons/Official web-site of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan)

JAKARTA - Turkish sources reaffirm Ankara's commitment to peace between Russia and Ukraine, saying the country may donate peacekeeping forces that are planned to be stationed in Ukraine.

"The Turkish Armed Forces are ready to contribute to any initiative aimed at ensuring security and stability in our region," the source said.

"First and foremost, a ceasefire must be reached between Russia and Ukraine. Then, the mission framework, with a clear definition of goals, as well as contributions from each country, must be determined," they added.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday announced a new joint task force, which is meant to map the multinational "symbing force" that will be offered as the "second line of defense" after the ceasefire.

The task force will be "led by France and the United Kingdom, with close involvement from Turkey, which plays a key role in maritime affairs, and for the first time with the participation of the United States," he added.

Turkey, with NATO's second-largest army force, previously said it was ready to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission "if deemed necessary."

A ministry source said referrals to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in every peace, security and stability mission were the most important indicators of the level of army achievement in terms of resources, capability, prevention, and reputation.

Turkey believes positive negotiations can resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, President Recep Tayyip Erdoyan said on Monday.

Negotiations based on a just and lasting peace will certainly have an impact on the ongoing process. Turkey played an important role in Istanbul's negotiations, and we are committed to this constructive stance, President Erdoyan told reporters on his way home from South Africa.

Turkey itself has experience in peacekeeping missions around the world, from Lebanon to Kosovo and Afghanistan. Turkey also provides training to soldiers from other countries, from Somalia to Syria.

Most recently, Turkish names have re-emerged for another peace mission, this time for Gaza. Ankara is willing to contribute to a joint task force for peace in the Gaza Strip, Palestine as proposed by the US, although Tel Aviv opposes the presence of Turkish troops who will contribute to ceasefire monitoring and lasting peace agreements in the future.