Turkey is expected to reaffirm its offer to mediate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia at an upcoming European leaders’ meeting in London. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will emphasize Turkey’s commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its willingness to facilitate negotiations aimed at achieving lasting peace. Turkey has maintained its ties with both nations while advocating for a ceasefire and regional stability.
Turkey is poised to reaffirm its offer to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia during the upcoming meeting of European leaders in London. According to a Reuters report, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will share Ankara’s initiatives aimed at establishing a “fair and lasting peace” in the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, he is expected to express Turkey’s strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and its territorial integrity.
In March 2022, Turkey facilitated initial negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, which successfully led to an agreement regarding safe grain transit in the Black Sea. In his address, Fidan will emphasize that Turkey is willing to take on a mediating role once more and advocate for cooperation among all parties involved to achieve enduring security, stability, and economic progress in the region.
Turkey has consistently called for a ceasefire since the onset of the conflict. Additionally, Turkey welcomed a recent U.S. initiative aimed at ending the war, despite a diplomatic impasse following tensions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump. Ankara has maintained a balanced relationship with both Ukraine and Russia, offering military assistance to Kyiv while abstaining from joining Western sanctions against Moscow.
President Zelenskiy visited Turkey last month coinciding with U.S. and Russian talks in Riyadh that excluded Ukrainian representatives. Recently, Zelenskiy has highlighted Turkey’s role as a crucial security guarantor for Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also engaged in discussions with Fidan regarding the developments in the Ukraine-Russia conflict in a recent phone call.
The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized Zelenskiy’s recent visit to Washington, deeming it a diplomatic failure. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the trip illustrated a continued obsession with warfare on the part of the Kyiv government. Compounding these tensions, an altercation occurred between Zelenskiy and Trump during the meeting, causing a notable decline in relations between Kyiv and its primary military supporter, the United States.
Turkey aims to strengthen its diplomatic role in facilitating peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia amidst ongoing hostilities. While reaffirming its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, Turkey has strategically maintained its relations with both nations. Recent developments highlight Turkey’s potential as a mediator in achieving long-term stability in the region, particularly as tensions escalate between Ukraine and the United States. Overall, Turkey’s diplomatic efforts, alongside the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape, reflect a nuanced approach to an enduring conflict.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
