Erdoğan says Türkiye ready to host Russia-US summit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated that he is ready to host a summit between the Russian Federation and the United States on Turkish soil.

Speaking to journalists from his pool upon returning from a tour of the Persian Gulf countries, Erdoğan was asked about the prospects for talks between the Russian and U.S. leaders and the future of Istanbul-hosted negotiations on Ukraine.

"The importance of Türkiye or Istanbul in the peaceful vision [of a settlement in Ukraine] has been reiterated. We are ready to organise [talks on Ukraine] at any time. It is a pity that the meeting in Budapest did not take place. We believe that any dialogue will contribute to ending this war. From the very beginning, we have been advocating this, working on it and stating that a just peace is possible. We have good relations with both sides, and we are a country that has earned the trust of both sides. This gives us an advantage on the road to peace, and we are determined to use this situation for the benefit of humanity," Erdoğan said.

Türkiye has historically played a major role as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, hosting multiple rounds of peace talks aimed at de-escalating the war.

In March 2022, Türkiye facilitated the first direct negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian officials in Istanbul. These discussions resulted in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed Ukrainian grain to be safely exported through the Black Sea, helping to ease a global food crisis. Despite this success, the broader peace process later stalled due to disputes over territorial issues and Russia's continued military operations.

In 2025, Türkiye renewed its mediation efforts by hosting a third round of direct talks in Istanbul. While these discussions did not produce a ceasefire, they marked the first direct engagement between Russia and Ukraine since 2022. The talks included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a Russian delegation led by Vladimir Medinsky. Even in the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Türkiye’s role as a neutral facilitator was reaffirmed.

Türkiyes diplomatic approach has been defined by a careful balance between supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and maintaining a pragmatic relationship with Russia.

Ankara has provided military assistance to Ukraine and affirmed its territorial integrity, yet it has avoided joining Western sanctions against Russia, positioning itself as a potential bridge between the two sides.

By Tamilla Hasanova