Türkiye hopes for progress in Ukraine conflict resolution by end of 2025

Türkiye expects progress toward resolving the conflict in Ukraine by the end of 2025, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in an interview with Ülke TV.

Fidan recalled that Russian and Ukrainian delegations had previously held three rounds of negotiations in Istanbul.

“Türkiye is ready to make the necessary contribution to ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and hopes to see positive steps in this direction by the end of the year,” the foreign minister stated.

Türkiye has positioned itself as a key mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, leveraging its unique geopolitical stance—maintaining ties with both Moscow and Kyiv while being a NATO member. Ankara’s diplomatic efforts peaked in March 2022 when it hosted three rounds of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, aiming to secure a ceasefire and humanitarian corridors. Though those negotiations stalled, they produced partial agreements, like the Black Sea Grain Initiative (July 2022), brokered by Türkiye and the UN, which facilitated Ukrainian grain exports until Russia withdrew in July 2023.

In 2025, Türkiye has also facilitated prisoner exchanges and proposed reviving grain corridor talks. However, challenges remain: Russia demands Ukrainian neutrality and territorial concessions, while Ukraine insists on full Russian withdrawal and NATO integration.

By Khagan Isayev