Turkey announces its readiness to mediate in talks between Ukraine and Russia

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has announced his country’s readiness to host a round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, as well as a potential summit of leaders in Istanbul. He said this during a speech at the TRT World Forum, Yeni Şafak reports.

Fidan said that Turkey has officially proposed to hold a new round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, which “may include a summit of leaders in Istanbul.”

The Turkish minister emphasized Turkey’s unique position as a country that “maintains constructive relations with both sides,” which previously made it possible to implement the Istanbul peace process.

“We have successfully facilitated their return to the negotiating table through the Istanbul process,” Fidan said, referring to the three previous rounds of talks and prisoner exchanges that Turkey hosted.

He stressed that “dialogue and diplomacy” would remain the cornerstone of Turkish foreign policy.

In early September, Erdogan met with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in China. The meeting focused on bilateral relations between Turkey and Russia, as well as regional and global issues.

Erdogan noted that Turkey continues to make efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Recently, US President Donald Trump said he believes in the ability of Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to help resolve the Russian-Ukrainian war because “Russia respects him.”