Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the return of territories captured by Russia to Ukraine will facilitate the negotiation process to end the war.

 He said this in an interview with the American PBS channel.

 "This is what is needed and what is expected. In this matter, Mr. Guterres (UN Secretary General - ed.) has taken certain steps. There are steps that we have taken. These steps and this return will really make our work easier," Erdogan said.

 He also noted that since 2014, at meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he has been urging him to return the annexed Crimea.

 "They are also our compatriots. We told them that if you take this step, it will calm us down, it will calm down Ukraine, and it will calm down the Crimean Tatars. But, unfortunately, since then, not a single step in this direction has been taken," - said the Turkish president.