In a recent meeting in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commended Türkiye for its diplomatic contributions towards ending the ongoing war with Russia. This acknowledgment came as Zelenskyy conferred the Order of Merit, Second Class, on Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, highlighting Türkiye’s commitment to fostering peace in the region. The discussions between Zelenskyy and Fidan revolved around the current state of diplomatic affairs, the latest developments on the battlefield, and strategies to rekindle peace negotiations.
Türkiye has played a pivotal role in maintaining connections with both Ukraine and Russia since the conflict began. It has previously facilitated peace talks in Istanbul, acted as a mediator in prisoner exchanges, and supported the Black Sea grain initiative. During their meeting, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s ongoing mediation efforts and underlined the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly following the recent ratification of the Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement.
Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to continuing the “Istanbul format” of negotiations, offering the country as a venue for future peace talks. He emphasized that Türkiye stands ready to assist in any capacity necessary to encourage dialogue between the conflicting parties. The Turkish Foreign Minister’s visit underscores the importance of diplomatic channels in seeking a resolution to the conflict, which has had significant humanitarian and geopolitical ramifications.
Additionally, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha indicated that President Zelenskyy is willing to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye, should conditions become favorable for such a meeting. This statement reflects Ukraine’s openness to direct negotiations under suitable circumstances, aiming to find a peaceful resolution to the hostilities that have affected the region for an extended period.