Turkey Ready To Host Russia-Ukraine Negotiations, Foreign Minister Fidan: Our View Angle Has Not Changed

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. (Wikimedia Commons/Downing Street 10/Simon Dawson)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed that Turkey is ready to mediate the Ukraine peace agreement, as well as to host negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

"We always support the principle of settlement involving both parties to achieve peace. Our point of view has not changed. Turkey is ready to provide any support for peace efforts, including negotiations between the parties," Foreign Minister Fidan explained at a press conference, launching TASS on February 26.

"At the current level of contact between various countries in Ukraine, it is clear that all parties agree on the need for a ceasefire. Of course, it is very important that this is accepted by the parties in conflict. We continue to strive to make a contribution to what Turkey can make to the settlement, to the implementation and maintenance of the ceasefire," he explained.

According to Foreign Minister Fidan, "Turkey has significant potential" to contribute to resolving the Ukraine conflict, and "continue contact with various parties."

"Turkey is a strong and important country in the region, and this country will definitely play an important role in building and ensuring peace and maintaining a ceasefire," the minister said.

He further explained that over the past three months Turkey had held many negotiations, conducted research, and proposed several tactical and strategic initiatives to stop the war as soon as possible, but no significant progress has yet been made.

"With the new administration of the United States, we are witnessing a shift in the dynamics. The negotiation process is not immediately underway, involving all major stakeholders. America is talking to Russia, Ukraine is in touch with Europe, Russia is talking to us, Ukraine is contacting us, and Europe is involved with America. Currently, there is a lot of diplomatic activity," explained Foreign Minister Fidan.

He added that negotiators faced a series of complicated issues, including terms of a ceasefire, a framework for a peace agreement, and a mechanism for maintaining peace and providing guarantees.

It is known that Turkey had hosted the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations in Istanbul in April 2022. It is said that the two countries managed to reach an agreement, but in the end the war continues to this day.