Diplomatic Cable | Ukraine

[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: Embassy of the Ukraine, Ankara < Vaka > [Sender]: Office of European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Türkiye < TABatur@db.tr.gov > [Subject]: Confidential // Diplomatic Relations

Your Excellency, I hope this message finds you well. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, I would like to express our sincere congratulations to Ukraine on the revival of stability and the positive strides being made toward recovery. This marks an important chapter for Ukraine, and we stand in full solidarity with your country during this time of progress and renewal. As you are aware, Türkiye views cooperation and security in the Black Sea region as vital to ensuring the peace and stability of the entire area. The lessons from past regional challenges, including the experiences stemming from Russia’s invasion of Türkiye in 2000, continue to remind us of the need for stronger regional collaboration. Such historical events underscore the critical importance of maintaining close, constructive relationships between our countries to safeguard peace and security in the region. In this regard, we consider Russia's mining of the Bosphorus during the invasion as a dangerous move that threatens the free flow of navigation and regional stability. We see it as a further reminder of the importance of our cooperation, which can serve as a bulwark against such destabilizing actions. Prime Minister Çiller has expressed her firm belief in Ukraine as a natural partner for Türkiye, and she is eager to work toward strengthening the bonds between our two nations. We are committed to deepening our diplomatic, economic, and security relations with Ukraine. If Your Excellency is available, we would be honored to meet with you at the Foreign Ministry to discuss the future of our bilateral relations. This meeting will provide an excellent opportunity to set the groundwork for a trade agreement and explore ways to build even stronger ties between our countries. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to meet at your earliest convenience. Regards, Tackin Batur Secretary of State, European Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Türkiye

 

[Vaka]

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Encryption: TOP SECRET
Recipient: Tackin Batur,
Secretary of State, European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Türkiye Jay
Sender: Bohdan Kostiuk, Ukrainian Ambassador to Türkiye
Subject: Re: Diplomatic Relations

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Good morning Secretary Batur,

We thank you for the kind words as our government begins the long journey of regaining the trust of its people and becoming a respectable player on the geopolitical stage. Previous administrations often failed to properly maintain foreign relations and often neglected expanding trade from our own borders. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arseniy Yatsenyuk and myself hope to rectify that.

Our cooperation with other Black Sea and European neighbors on matters of security, market integration, and research is our top priority. In the past this would have simply meant deferring to Russian intention. It is in my opinion, that in the past Ukraine was often looked at as a protectorate of Russia. This could not be further from the truth. As we emerge from the shadow of communism and the corrupt governments of the past, we are not looking for protectors. We are looking for partners. We feel that Türkiye kindred spirit in that regard. I hope that our two nations can work together closely to forge a new path built on peace, prosperity, and brotherhood.

I do humbly accept your invitation to the Foreign Ministry. President Tymoshenko appointed me the ambassador to Türkiye due to the highest level of importance she feels that our future relationship holds. I have full authority to speak on both matters of trade and defence along with a host of other topics.

I look forward to meeting you in person and hope that our conversations start a new era of friendship between our two nations.


Regards,

Bohdan Kostiuk
Ukrainian Ambassador to Türkiye
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

 

[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: Embassy of the Ukraine, Ankara < Vaka > [Sender]: Office of European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Türkiye < TABatur@db.tr.gov > [Subject]: Confidential // Diplomatic Relations

Your Excellency, I warmly welcome your letter and thank you for your thoughtful and candid remarks. We are encouraged by the direction Ukraine is taking as it works to strengthen democratic governance, restore public trust, and reassert itself as a constructive and respected actor on the international stage. Türkiye recognizes the significance of this moment and views Ukraine’s efforts with sincere respect. We welcome the news of your appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Türkiye and note the confidence placed in you by President Tymoshenko. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, I am pleased to formally invite you to the Ministry for an initial meeting at your earliest convenience. The Ministry would like to begin exploratory talks on several priority areas, including: The establishment of a joint security mechanism for cooperation between the Turkish Navy and the Ukrainian Navy, particularly in the Black Sea region; Preliminary discussions toward a potential free trade agreement between our two nations; and Broader initiatives to enhance bilateral relations in political, economic, technological, and cultural domains. Türkiye shares your view that the future of our region and we would also welcome any additional agenda items Your Excellency may wish to raise during your visit, and we remain fully open to your proposals and priorities for discussion. I look forward to welcoming you to the Ministry in person and am confident that our forthcoming conversations will mark the beginning of a new and enduring chapter of friendship and cooperation between Türkiye and Ukraine. With highest consideration, Regards, Tackin Batur Secretary of State, European Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Türkiye

 

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Location: Ukrainian Embassy, Ankara.
Date: December 29, 2007
Time: 0715​

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In a sun drenched office, Bohdan Kostiuk took his first sip of morning tea. It was beginning to cool off as he had let it linger too long just next to the keyboard of his computer. Along a very stately looking desk that would remind one the Resolute desk of White house fame, sat a Rex Begonia, a newly engraved desk plate naming him the Ambassador to Türkiye, and the large computer monitor that the man was reading intently.

His computer monitor showed the website of the Kyiv Independent; where the headline read, Politicians ready themselves for inspection. He smiled to himself as he sat the tea down and continued reading about the finer points of his government's new State Modernization & Anti-Corruption Act. “I wish I could be there to watch them squirm.” he said aloud as he closed the browser and shut the computer down. He checked his watch and realized the time; he made for his jacket. He was in a newer gray herring bone tweed vest and pants. After donning the jacket, there was a knock at the door.

“Ambassador Kostiuk?” a gruff voice asked with a slight Polish accent. “The car is ready for your meeting at the Foreign Ministry.”

“Perfectly on time as always, Dmytro.” quipped Ambassador Kostiuk as he grabbed his Gibson Messenger bag. He reached over his desk to take one last drink of his tea and made for the door. Opening it revealed a large man with shaved head and a squared well kept beard. His three piece, all business suit and ear piece clearly marked him clearly as embassy security. Ambassador Kostiuk patted the large man on the back and made his way towards the lobby, “Lets get going.”

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Location: Güvenpark, Ankara.
Date: December 29, 2007
Time: 0735
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In the back seat of a BMW 335i, the ambassador took in the wonders of the city of Ankara. His newly adopted home for the time being was a feast for the senses. Its urban center was bustling with morning rush hour. Passing Güvenpark, with its perfectly manicured boulevards, and impressive statues; a group of street musicians seemed to be doing a near perfect rendition of She loves you. He rolled the window down lightly to hear them a bit better when he was met with the smell of a nearby street vendor preparing doner kebabs for lunch. He closed his eyes and leaned back as the car made its way to the Foreign Ministry.

Once they had arrived, Ambassador Kostiuk flanked by a few paces by Dmytro, made their way into the lobby of the Foreign Ministry.

Jay​

 

[Jay]

The gray curtain that had draped across the city of Ankara the past few days had finally let up and a clear sky blessed the city for the first time in weeks. The streets glistened as the lamps along the boulevards bending their light in soft reflections across the cobblestones. As Ambassador Kostiuk's vehicle approached the Ministry, A Turkish flag fluttered above the main roof. The motorcade slowed before the exterior security gate, two uniformed DMKK officer wearing their distinctive digital camo uniforms and armored vests stepped forward.

One approached the vehicle, scanning the license plate with a handheld device, while another reviewed the incoming vehicle’s itinerary from a rugged tablet linked to the Ministry's security network. Then a quiet mechanical hum that came as the massive iron gates slowly parted to permit the motorcade’s entry.

As the vehicle crossed through the gate, its tires rolled over an underground bomb detection scanner, a matte-black slab set into the pavement, bristling with sensors. On the far side of the gates, the palace’s wide front lawn stretched out like a manicured carpet, flanked by stone pathways and lines of tulips.

The vehicle curved around the circular drive and came to a stop before a tall flight of white steps, at the top of which stood Secretary Tackin Batur in a navy-blue suit with a thin silver tie, hands folded at his front.

When the doors opened and the Ambassador stepped out, Tackin would extend his hand.

“Welcome to the Foreign Ministry Ambassador,” Batur said in an English accent laced with Turkish, “It’s a pleasure to finally host you, here.”

When they walked inside, Batur would bring the Ambassador to the meeting room. Inside Batur would be joined by another diplomat and a civil servants from the Ministry as they took their seats across from the Ambassador. The Turkish diplomats had a small cup of red tea placed in front of everyone as they took their seats.

When everyone was seated, Batur would speak. "Ambassador firstly welcome to Ankara. We welcome your appointment to Türkiye and hope this will be the begining of a fruitful personal and professional relationship between us. Should you require anything while you're in Ankara, please note that my office is the appropriate point of contact."

Vaka