In a recent diplomatic encounter in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commended Türkiye for its ongoing efforts to mediate peace in the conflict with Russia. This acknowledgment came during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was awarded the Order of Merit, Second Class, by Zelenskyy, underscoring Türkiye’s significant role in advancing peace initiatives.
The discussions between Zelenskyy and Fidan focused on the current diplomatic landscape, recent developments on the battlefield, and strategies to rekindle peace negotiations. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s persistent mediation efforts and showed optimism for enhanced cooperation, particularly through the implementation of the newly ratified Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement.
Türkiye has sustained diplomatic relations with both Ukraine and Russia throughout the ongoing conflict, having previously hosted peace talks in Istanbul and played a crucial role in facilitating prisoner exchanges and the Black Sea grain initiative. Fidan reiterated the importance of continuing the “Istanbul format” for negotiations and emphasized Türkiye’s readiness to host future peace discussions.
Additionally, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha indicated that President Zelenskyy is open to meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye, provided that the circumstances are conducive to such talks. This statement highlights Türkiye’s potential as a neutral ground for high-level negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.