Turkey Says Ankara and Others Must Talk to Russia to Help End Ukraine War

TOPSHOT - People reacts after fleeing their home in the suburbs of Kyiv, on March 26, 2022, during Russia's military invasion launched on Ukraine. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)
TOPSHOT - People reacts after fleeing their home in the suburbs of Kyiv, on March 26, 2022, during Russia's military invasion launched on Ukraine. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)
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Turkey Says Ankara and Others Must Talk to Russia to Help End Ukraine War

TOPSHOT - People reacts after fleeing their home in the suburbs of Kyiv, on March 26, 2022, during Russia's military invasion launched on Ukraine. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)
TOPSHOT - People reacts after fleeing their home in the suburbs of Kyiv, on March 26, 2022, during Russia's military invasion launched on Ukraine. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)

Turkey and other states must still talk to Russia to help end the war in Ukraine, Turkey's presidential spokesman said on Sunday, adding that Kyiv needed more support to defend itself.

"If everybody burns bridges with Russia then who is going to talk to them at the end of the day," Ibrahim Kalin told the Doha international forum, Reuters reported.

"Ukrainians need to be supported by every means possible so they can defend themselves ... but the Russian case must be heard, one way or the other."

Meanwhile, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence accused on Sunday Russia of trying to split Ukraine in two to create a Moscow-controlled region after failing to take over the whole country.

"In fact, it is an attempt to create North and South Korea in Ukraine," Kyrylo Budanov said in a statement, adding that Ukraine would soon launch guerrilla warfare in Russian-occupied territory.



Pope Francis Greets Crowds at Vatican in First Appearance since Leaving Hospital

 Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)
Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)
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Pope Francis Greets Crowds at Vatican in First Appearance since Leaving Hospital

 Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)
Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)

Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since being discharged from hospital two weeks ago after treatment for double pneumonia, entering St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in a wheelchair to greet crowds.

Francis, 88, had been out of public view since March 23, when he had given a short greeting before leaving Rome's Gemelli hospital after more than five weeks of treatment in the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.

The pope, in a previously unannounced move, came out to the square shortly before noon at the end of the celebration of a Mass for the Catholic Church's Jubilee year.

Coming in front of the main altar for the service in bright sunshine, Francis waved to the crowds, before speaking briefly.

"Happy Sunday to everyone," the pope said, speaking in a frail voice while receiving oxygen via a small hose under his nose. "Thank you so much."