Ukraine Opens New Embassy in Türkiye, Zelenskyy Reiterates Not Accepting Russia’s Ultimatums

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he and the First Lady, Olena Zelenska, officially opened the new building of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ankara, Türkiye, on February 18.

“The embassy opened in Türkiye today is the first to be built abroad since the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression,” Zelenskyy stated.

The project was initiated in 2019 when Ukraine’s current Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, served as Ambassador to Türkiye. Construction began in 2021 and, despite the war, was completed.

The Ukrainian President also met with representatives of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar communities to discuss their role in Ukraine’s post-war recovery, the release of political prisoners, and the diplomatic efforts to reclaim temporarily occupied territories.

“Diplomacy is crucial because we must protect our people—they are Ukraine’s greatest treasure. But everyone must understand that when Ukraine speaks of diplomacy, it means a bloodless path to restoring justice. Diplomacy does not mean surrendering our territories or our sovereignty,” said Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy outlined Ukraine’s stance in negotiations toward a just and lasting peace, recalling the ultimatums Russia presented to Ukraine in February–March 2022, including during talks in Istanbul.

“If we didn’t surrender to these ultimatums at our most difficult moment, why would anyone think Ukraine would do so now?” Zelenskyy said. “And I certainly did not, and will not, accept Russia’s ultimatums.”

Zelenskyy’s visit to Türkiye coincided with U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia to which Ukraine was not invited. The Ukrainian President stated that Kyiv will not recognize any agreements concerning Ukraine made without its involvement.