Turkey Steps Up as Potential Mediator in Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks
Turkey advocates for mediation meetings between Ukraine and Russia.
Get ready for a potential diplomatic breakthrough: Turkey is preparing to act as a mediator in the direct peace talks proposed by Russia with Ukraine. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made this announcement after separate phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Erdogan's communications officer. Turkey is eager to contribute to establishing a ceasefire and long-lasting peace, even offering to host negotiations themselves.
Following demands from Ukraine and key European allies for an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire starting from Monday, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin proposed a different strategy: direct negotiations without preconditions between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul could kick off on Thursday. Putin, however, wasn’t keen on announcing a ceasefire beforehand.
The Kremlin confirmed the call with Erdogan. The Russian intention to reignite discussions was deliberated in detail, commented Moscow. Previous talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul, which took place in 2022 and focused on ending the fighting, proved unsuccessful.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the Kremlin's offer optimistically, but reiterated the demand for an immediate ceasefire. Erdogan echoed this sentiment, stating that a comprehensive ceasefire would create the "ideal conditions" for peace talks. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on the other hand, turned away Putin's initiative: only when weapons fall silent can talks commence.
[1] Turkey, with its long history of diplomatic involvement in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, is poised to play a crucial role in these potential talks, considering their experience in facilitating negotiations and maintaining ties with both parties. However, it's hard to predict the ultimate outcome of these efforts, as previous attempts at mediation have not managed to secure lasting peace agreements between the two nations.
- The employment policy of Turkey, being well-versed in diplomatic affairs, particularly in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, may hold a significant role in the upcoming peace talks, given its expertise in mediating negotiations and maintaining relationships with both parties.
- In response to the proposed direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has emphasized the need for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire as a prerequisite for fruitful negotiations.
- The 2022 peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives, held in Istanbul, exemplified the complexities and challenges of achieving a lasting ceasefire in the ongoing war-and-conflicts between the two nations.
- The ceasefire demand, initially made by Ukraine and key European allies, gained momentum when Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine, with both parties anticipating these discussions to commence in Istanbul on the proposed 2022 date, though preconditions remain an obstacle to a collective agreement.
