Erdoğan pushes for peace in South Caucasus, balanced resolution to Ukraine crisis

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reaffirmed Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts to promote stability in the South Caucasus and mediate a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, stressing the need for dialogue and lasting peace.

Speaking at an iftar dinner with ambassadors, he stated that Türkiye was pressing ahead with efforts to normalise relations with Armenia, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media.

"At the same time, we are working towards the signing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia," he added.

Turning to the conflict in Ukraine, President Erdoğan emphasised that any settlement must involve both Kyiv and Moscow. "While we continue to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, we believe that a resolution cannot be reached without the participation of both Russia and Ukraine," he said.

He noted that throughout the three years of conflict, Ankara had "sought a solution to the Ukrainian crisis without adding fuel to the fire."

UN Security Council reform

President Erdoğan also reiterated his call for an Islamic country to be given a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), arguing that this was "more of a necessity than a demand." His remarks, stated by Russian media, were made during a meeting with ambassadors in Türkiye, where he criticised the current structure of the Security Council.

"The distribution of power in the UNSC is not based on justice," he said, warning that this imbalance would contribute to future global challenges. Acknowledging that his stance might not be well received by world leaders, he insisted on the need for reform.

Türkiye and Europe

The Turkish president also underlined Türkiye’s strategic importance to Europe, warning that the continent was struggling to maintain its role as a global power without Türkiye in its ranks.

"We are an inseparable part of Europe and see our EU integration process as a strategic priority. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Europe to sustain its global influence without Türkiye being granted the place it deserves," Erdoğan said during his speech in Ankara.

He stressed that European security was "unthinkable without Türkiye" and urged European leaders to adopt a more forward-looking approach to Türkiye’s EU membership aspirations.

Combating Islamophobia

President Erdoğan also expressed concern over what he described as rising Islamophobia and cultural racism in Western countries with significant Muslim populations.

"It is completely unacceptable that vile attacks on our holy book, the Quran, are justified under the pretext of freedom of expression," he said. Pledging to continue the fight against Islamophobia, he called for greater solidarity and more genuine support from international partners.

By Aghakazim Guliyev