Turkish FM says Russia remains open to Ukraine peace talks

Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Russia had reaffirmed its readiness to engage in contacts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, while stressing that further progress would depend on the parties' negotiating positions.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Kyiv with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Fidan said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had expressed Moscow's willingness to pursue dialogue during his recent visit to Russia, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"During my meetings in Moscow, particularly with President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, they stated that they are ready for any contacts to achieve this goal," Fidan said, referring to efforts to reach a peaceful settlement.

He said the format of future talks—whether direct negotiations or mediation—would depend on the positions of the parties involved, noting that, apart from Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, contacts had continued regularly with the United States, while Türkiye had acted as a mediator.

Fidan said he had asked the Russian side whether it continued to support the framework principles agreed with the United States during talks in Alaska.

"They said they continue to support the framework agreements reached with the United States in Alaska. Naturally, there are nuances. The question is whether this broad framework can be developed further under the current circumstances. That is what negotiators now need to work on," he said.

Fidan added that Russia, Ukraine and the wider international community all recognised the need for a ceasefire and a peace agreement, and said Türkiye would continue to do everything in its power to help advance that objective.

By Aghakazim Guliyev