During a recent meeting in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commended Türkiye’s efforts to mediate peace between Ukraine and Russia. The meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted the role Türkiye has played in trying to end the conflict. As a mark of appreciation, Zelenskyy awarded Fidan the Order of Merit, Second Class, acknowledging Türkiye’s significant contributions to peace initiatives.
The discussions between Zelenskyy and Fidan focused on various aspects of the ongoing conflict, including the current diplomatic landscape and battlefield developments. They also explored potential avenues to rekindle peace talks. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s continued diplomatic mediation and expressed optimism about enhancing cooperation, particularly following the recent ratification of the Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement.
Türkiye has positioned itself as a unique mediator in the conflict, maintaining relations with both Ukraine and Russia. It has played an instrumental role by hosting peace negotiations in Istanbul, facilitating prisoner exchanges, and supporting the Black Sea grain initiative. These efforts underscore Türkiye’s balanced approach in navigating its ties with the conflicting nations.
Hakan Fidan emphasized the importance of continuing the “Istanbul format” for negotiations, indicating Türkiye’s readiness to host future peace discussions. His statement reflects Türkiye’s ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue and finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Furthermore, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha mentioned that President Zelenskyy is open to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye, should circumstances permit.