Turkey plans to reiterate its offer to host Ukraine-Russia peace talks at a meeting of European leaders in London, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasizing Ankara’s role in achieving lasting peace. Turkey has maintained good relations with both nations, backing Ukraine militarily while avoiding sanctions on Russia. Recent tensions between Ukraine and the U.S. complicate the political landscape as Turkey positions itself as a key mediator.
Turkey is poised to reaffirm its offer to facilitate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia at an upcoming meeting of European leaders in London, according to a report by Reuters. During the meeting, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will outline Ankara’s ongoing initiatives aimed at establishing a “fair and lasting peace” in the region while reiterating Turkey’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
In March 2022, Turkey, a NATO member, successfully hosted initial discussions between the conflicting parties, which resulted in an agreement for safe grain exports in the Black Sea. Minister Fidan will emphasize Turkey’s readiness to continue this mediating role and highlight the need for all involved parties to focus on achieving sustainable regional security and economic stability through negotiations.
Since the onset of the war, Turkey has consistently advocated for a ceasefire and welcomed the recent U.S. initiative aimed at resolving the conflict. Relations between the United States and Ukraine have recently strained due to a public disagreement between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in Washington.
Turkey has maintained a balanced relationship with both Ukraine and Russia throughout the conflict, providing military support to Kyiv while refraining from imposing Western sanctions on Moscow. Last month, President Zelenskiy visited Turkey amidst separate talks involving U.S. and Russian representatives that excluded Ukraine.
Recently, Zelenskiy described Turkey as a crucial security partner for Ukraine, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also engaged in discussions with Turkish officials. Notably, Lavrov and Fidan talked about developments in the Ukraine-Russia war over a phone call, reflecting ongoing diplomatic efforts to navigate the conflict.
The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized Zelenskiy’s recent Washington visit, labeling it a diplomatic failure, and claiming he is fixated on continuing hostilities. Specifically, Russian spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated, “The visit … to Washington on February 28 is a complete political and diplomatic failure by the Kyiv regime.”
Turkey is actively reiterating its commitment to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting its ongoing role as a mediator. As tensions escalate between Kyiv and Washington, Turkey remains a pivotal player in the dialogue, emphasizing regional stability and economic prosperity. The situation continues to evolve, with diplomacy being critical for resolution.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
