Russia appreciates Türkiye’s mediation offer amid Ukrainian refusal

Russia has expressed appreciation to Türkiye for its readiness to provide a venue for Russian–Ukrainian negotiations, while Kyiv has declined this format, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.

“We always express our gratitude, and in this case, we are thankful to the Turkish side for their hospitality and readiness to provide their platform for Russian–Ukrainian negotiations,” Zakharova stated.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan informed Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call that Ankara remains committed to supporting a settlement in Ukraine and is prepared to continue offering the Istanbul venue for talks.

Türkiye has consistently positioned itself as a key mediator in the Russia–Ukraine conflict, hosting multiple rounds of negotiations and facilitating humanitarian and economic initiatives since the war began in February 2022.

At the onset of the conflict, Türkiye organised high-level meetings between Russian and Ukrainian officials, including sessions at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and in Istanbul, establishing itself as a neutral venue acceptable to both sides. In July 2022, Türkiye brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative in cooperation with the United Nations, enabling the safe export of Ukrainian grain and helping avert a global food crisis.

Beyond economic diplomacy, Türkiye has mediated several prisoner exchanges and hosted numerous bilateral discussions between Moscow and Kyiv, keeping dialogue channels open even amid ongoing hostilities.

In 2024, President Erdoğan invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Istanbul and offered to host a comprehensive peace summit. Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has repeatedly reaffirmed the country’s readiness to facilitate peace talks, complementing U.S.-led diplomatic efforts.

On May 16, 2025, Türkiye hosted the first direct Russia–Ukraine peace talks since early in the war, chaired by Fidan, marking a significant effort to revive formal negotiations. Türkiye’s National Security Council has confirmed that mediation efforts will continue, underscoring the country’s long-term commitment to dialogue facilitation.

Analysts highlight that Türkiye’s strategic location, Black Sea access, and trusted relationships with both Moscow and Kyiv make it uniquely suited to act as a neutral mediator. Its initiatives, including the grain corridor and prisoner exchanges, have also produced tangible humanitarian and economic benefits, reinforcing Türkiye’s credibility on the international stage.

By Tamilla Hasanova