Türkiye renews bid to mediate Russia–Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has reiterated that Türkiye is ready to host a new round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul.

Speaking to Turkish newspaper, Fidan stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue despite ongoing tensions.

“We have seen that direct talks produced productive results on many issues, and a new perspective has emerged in Geneva. It is important to preserve a platform for discussions. Türkiye is ready once again to provide a venue for negotiations in Istanbul and to support direct talks. It is necessary to remain at the negotiation table,” he said.

Since the beginning of the Russia–Ukraine war in February 2022, Türkiye has consistently positioned itself as a central mediator, facilitating both political and humanitarian initiatives. Early in the conflict, Ankara organised high-level meetings between Russian and Ukrainian officials, including sessions at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and follow-up talks in Istanbul, establishing itself as a mutually acceptable neutral venue.

One of Türkiye’s most significant diplomatic achievements came in July 2022, when it brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative in partnership with the United Nations. The agreement allowed safe passage for Ukrainian grain exports, helping to stabilise global food supply chains and avert a broader humanitarian crisis.

Beyond economic diplomacy, Türkiye has mediated several prisoner exchanges, maintained contact with both Moscow and Kyiv, and hosted bilateral discussions even as the conflict escalated.

In 2024, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Istanbul and offered to host a comprehensive peace summit. Throughout this period, Foreign Minister Fidan repeatedly underscored Türkiye’s readiness to facilitate dialogue, complementing U.S.-backed diplomatic initiatives.

The most significant recent step occurred on May 16, 2025, when Türkiye hosted the first direct Russia–Ukraine peace talks since the early months of the war. The meeting, chaired by Fidan, represented a major effort to revive formal negotiations. Türkiye’s National Security Council has since confirmed that mediation efforts will continue, emphasising the country’s long-term commitment to promoting dialogue.

Analysts note that Türkiye’s strategic geography, access to the Black Sea, and its ability to maintain working relationships with both Moscow and Kyiv uniquely position it to serve as a mediator. Initiatives such as the grain corridor, prisoner exchanges, and the hosting of direct talks have strengthened Ankara’s credibility and underscored its role as a stabilising diplomatic actor in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova