Ankara, February 19, 2025 – The Europe Today: Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan received Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska in the Turkish capital on Tuesday, where they visited a facility dedicated to supporting war-affected Ukrainian children.
The visit took place at the Eryaman Children’s Home, where children who fled the ongoing war in Ukraine welcomed Erdogan and Zelenska with bouquets in the colors of the Turkish and Ukrainian flags. The engagement focused on spending quality time with the children, including interactive activities such as playing games and reading stories.
During the visit, the first ladies toured an exhibition showcasing handmade crafts created by the children and watched a special music and dance performance. In a heartfelt moment, the children presented Zelenska with a photo collage capturing their memories at the center.
Erdogan also received updates on the condition of 10-year-old Myhailo Popazav, who is awaiting reconstructive surgery. In a statement on social media platform X, Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting those in need. “The children who have continued their education in Türkiye in peace and safety for the past three years are our greatest inspiration that peace is possible,” she stated.
“We believe that every child deserves a future filled with love, knowledge, and hope,” Erdogan emphasized.
Olena Zelenska visited Ankara as part of a delegation accompanying her husband, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who held high-level discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During their talks, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Ankara’s role in facilitating the release of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. He also noted that Türkiye could serve as an ideal host for potential future negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States to seek a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
The visit underscored Türkiye’s humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees and its continued diplomatic efforts to contribute to regional peace and stability.
