In a recent meeting in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commended Türkiye for its crucial diplomatic role in striving to end the conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and honored him with the Order of Merit, Second Class, acknowledging Türkiye’s ongoing contributions to peace initiatives between the warring nations.
The discussions between Zelenskyy and Fidan centered on the current diplomatic landscape, the status of military engagements, and potential avenues to rekindle peace negotiations. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards Türkiye for its persistent mediation efforts and voiced optimism about enhancing cooperation, particularly following the ratification of the Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement.
Throughout the conflict, Türkiye has managed to maintain relations with both Ukraine and Russia, playing a pivotal mediating role. It has previously hosted peace discussions in Istanbul and facilitated significant agreements such as prisoner exchanges and the Black Sea grain initiative. During the meeting, Fidan emphasized the importance of continuing the “Istanbul format” for negotiations and reiterated Türkiye’s readiness to host future peace talks.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also participated in the discussions and conveyed that President Zelenskyy is willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye, provided the conditions are conducive. This openness to dialogue underscores Ukraine’s commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with Türkiye serving as a key facilitator in the process.