Türkiye offers to lead new Russia–Ukraine peace talks

Türkiye has reiterated its readiness to take the lead in organising peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

As reported by Caliber.Az, citing Turkish media outlets, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the initiative following a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels, where he briefed his counterparts on Ankara’s position.

“Our country’s president (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – ed.) continues contacts with European leaders and the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. We, as Türkiye, have once again reminded [our partners] that we want to act as the direct organiser of meetings on a peaceful settlement. Russia holds a positive position on this issue. I think that Ukraine will also take a positive position on it soon,” Fidan told reporters.

He added that he sees room for progress. In his words, “it seems possible to find common ground.” Fidan further noted that “[US President’s special envoy] Steven Witkoff will play an important role here; I believe he has sufficient experience and capabilities for this.”

Since the outbreak of the war in February 2022, Türkiye has repeatedly positioned itself as a key diplomatic intermediary, pursuing both political negotiations and humanitarian initiatives. Early in the conflict, Ankara hosted high-level engagements between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, beginning with meetings at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and later in Istanbul. These early efforts cemented Türkiye’s standing as a neutral and acceptable venue for both sides.

Among its most impactful diplomatic accomplishments was the July 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Türkiye brokered jointly with the United Nations. The agreement enabled the safe export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea, easing pressure on global food supply chains and helping prevent a deeper humanitarian crisis.

Türkiye has also facilitated multiple prisoner exchanges, maintained regular communication channels with Kyiv and Moscow, and continued arranging bilateral consultations even during periods of heightened military escalation.

In 2024, President Erdoğan invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Istanbul and offered to host a comprehensive peace summit. Throughout these developments, Fidan consistently stressed Ankara’s willingness to support dialogue and complement diplomatic efforts backed by the United States.

A major recent milestone occurred on May 16, 2025, when Türkiye hosted the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine since the earliest phase of the conflict. Chaired by Fidan, the meeting marked a renewed attempt to revive structured negotiations. Türkiye’s National Security Council subsequently confirmed that mediation initiatives would continue, reinforcing Ankara’s long-term commitment to promoting diplomatic engagement.

Analysts observe that Türkiye’s strategic location, control of access to the Black Sea, and its balanced relations with both Moscow and Kyiv place it in a unique position to serve as a mediator. Its role in establishing the grain corridor, arranging prisoner exchanges, and hosting direct talks has further strengthened Ankara’s diplomatic credibility and underscored its function as a stabilising force in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova