Ankara Steps Up Diplomatic Push to Broker Peace Talks Between Russia and Ukraine

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his country's commitment to facilitating negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, revealing active efforts to arrange a summit between the two leaders. The initiative was discussed during Erdogan's meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the capital on Wednesday.

Mediation Efforts Intensify

Erdogan outlined Turkey's ongoing diplomatic engagement aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict through peaceful negotiations. According to the Turkish presidency's statement following the meeting with Rutte, the Turkish leader emphasized that Ankara is "working to revive negotiations and start talks at leaders' level."

Turkey has maintained balanced diplomatic relations with both Russia and Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, positioning itself as a potential mediator in the protracted conflict.

European Security and Allied Concerns

During his conversation with Rutte, Erdogan stressed the importance of maintaining transatlantic security ties but called for greater burden-sharing from European NATO members. The presidency noted that Erdogan underscored how preserving these partnerships remained "indispensable" while expecting allies to assume greater responsibility in regional security matters.

In a separate phone call with German Chancellor Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday, Erdogan highlighted how the US-Iran tensions were adversely affecting Europe's stability. He warned that without decisive international intervention grounded in peace-focused strategies, the region faced mounting risks from the deepening conflict.

Ukraine's Request and Russia's Conditions

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha disclosed that Kyiv had specifically requested Turkey host a leaders-level meeting with Russia. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday with comments released Wednesday, Sybiha indicated that Ukraine would consider venues other than Belarus or Russian territory for such discussions.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long advocated for accelerating negotiations to conclude the more than four-year conflict.

However, Moscow has set specific preconditions for any summit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as quoted by the TASS news agency, stated that Putin would only participate in meetings designed to finalize conflict resolution agreements. "The main thing is the goal of this meeting," Peskov told Russian state television, noting that Putin remains prepared to meet in Moscow but only if the gathering would be "productive" and aimed at "finalising agreements."