Turkish FM optimistic on Ukraine peace talks, stresses need for NATO unity

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has expressed cautious optimism that a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine could be achieved before the end of 2025.

Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, Fidan outlined Türkiye’s role in renewed mediation efforts and underscored the critical juncture at which the conflict now stands, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

“We are approaching a critical turning point in the war,” Fidan said. “We have two paths in front of us: either we will close our eyes to the continuation of this war, or we will achieve permanent peace during this year.”

Fidan emphasised Türkiye's determination to facilitate diplomacy, referencing the recent Istanbul talks held on May 16 as a “new beginning” in the search for a settlement. He voiced expectations for tangible outcomes from the next round of discussions, set to take place in Istanbul on June 2.

“The rapid implementation of the prisoner exchange agreements proved that negotiations can produce concrete results,” he stated. “At the previous meeting, there was a concrete result – the exchange of prisoners. The sides also agreed to balance their positions on the ceasefire. That is indeed progress.”

Fidan added that both parties are expected to make significant headway in the technical phase of the negotiations during the upcoming Istanbul round. Looking ahead, he proposed a high-level summit involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to finalise a long-term ceasefire agreement.

“I sincerely believe that in a further phase it would be very good to have a leaders' meeting… It would be possible to finalise the Istanbul negotiation process with such a summit,” he said.

In the same press appearance, Fidan addressed the contentious issue of Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, calling it “a serious topic of discussion within the alliance.”

He noted that while Ukraine's membership remains a divisive issue among NATO states, Türkiye had not discussed the matter during recent talks in Russia on May 26–27. “Frankly speaking, this issue was not even raised,” Fidan confirmed.

“The reality of the ongoing war is also taken into account. This is an issue that the member countries of the alliance approach from different positions. Of course, negotiations on this issue will continue inside NATO,” he added.

He emphasised NATO’s foundational principles as a defensive alliance, stating: “Which NATO position will be more favourable for peace, freedom and stability in Ukraine? This should be discussed together. There is Europe’s position, America’s position, Türkiye’s position, and these three positions should somehow unite.”

By Vafa Guliyeva