In a recent diplomatic meeting in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation for Türkiye’s efforts to mediate an end to the war with Russia. Zelenskyy met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and honored him with the Order of Merit, Second Class, acknowledging Türkiye’s contributions to peace efforts. The dialogue between the two leaders focused on the current state of diplomacy, battlefield developments, and strategies to rekindle peace negotiations.
Zelenskyy conveyed gratitude towards Türkiye for its ongoing mediation initiatives and emphasized the importance of bolstering cooperation between the two nations. This includes the execution of the Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement, which was recently ratified. Türkiye, maintaining diplomatic relations with both Ukraine and Russia since the conflict began, has previously played host to peace talks in Istanbul and facilitated prisoner exchanges and the Black Sea grain initiative.
Fidan underscored the importance of continuing the “Istanbul format” of negotiations, affirming Türkiye’s willingness to host future peace discussions. The Turkish foreign minister reiterated his country’s commitment to supporting diplomatic solutions and maintaining its role as a mediator in the conflict.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted Zelenskyy’s openness to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye if the conditions are conducive. This potential meeting underscores the significant role Türkiye could play in advancing peace talks between the warring nations, reflecting its unique position of maintaining ties with both parties.