DISINFO: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a vassal of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
SUMMARY
According to the agreement between Erdoğan and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he is the sultan and the Ukrainian president is his vassal.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on Ukraine and its relations with Turkey, consistent with a narrative about Ukraine being under external control.
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not a vassal of the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. They are presidents of two independent nations, whose relations are based on mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In October, Ukraine and Turkey signed an agreement that enhances cooperation in the military sector. Both countries will cooperate in the development of new types of weapons and in other directions. Ukraine and Turkey are also negotiating a free trade agreement. It is expected that the new treaty will double the bilateral trade volume from the current $4.8 billion to $10 billion. Both agreements are based on respect for the interests of both sides.
The new Strategy of National Security of Ukraine identifies the Republic of Turkey as a strategic partner in the Black Sea region.
See similar disinformation cases alleging that US is no longer controls Ukraine, UK does, that Ukraine is under obvious external control, that Ukraine must obey orders from Washington and Brussels, or that US and IMF define and control political appointments in Ukraine.