The World Expects Good News From Istanbul!

Illustration of the city of Istanbul that could become a new history of peace (Photo by Gabriel Cattaruzzi on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - This week, the eyes of the whole world will be on Istanbul, Turkey. A good news will be awaited from there when the Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet again to discuss peace.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will reportedly meet with the Ukrainian and Russian delegates before their official discussion in Istanbul, as quoted by the Daily Sabah, Tuesday 29 March.

"I can state that the calls we had with (Russian President) Mr (Vladimir) Putin and (Ukrainian President) Mr (Volodymyr) Zelensky are heading in a favorable direction," Erdogan said at a press conference after a cabinet meeting at the presidential compound in the capital. Turkey, Ankara.

"Today, we are a country that makes sincere efforts towards peace, and the only country that both sides trust in its justice, sincerity and friendship," he said.

On that occasion, Turkey also expressed its objection to the global stance and plans to bring the case to trial before the UN Security Council.

The Russo-Ukrainian war, which began on February 24, has sparked international outrage with the European Union, US and UK, among others, imposing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,151 civilians have died in Ukraine and 1,842 injured, according to estimates by the United Nations, which warn that the real figure is likely much higher.

More than 3.87 million Ukrainians have also fled to several European countries, with millions more displaced, according to the United Nations refugee agency.

Erdogan has repeatedly said that Turkey will not abandon its relations with Russia or Ukraine, underscoring that Ankara's ability to talk to both sides is an asset.

Ukraine clearly carries a mission on how to achieve a permanent ceasefire with Russia as Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed in a phone call on Sunday for Istanbul to host the talks, which Ankara hopes will lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine.