Turkish diplomatic efforts to mediate the conflict between Ukraine and Russia received commendation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a significant meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Kyiv. Recognizing Türkiye’s valuable contribution to fostering peace, Zelenskyy awarded Fidan the Order of Merit, Second Class. The meeting underscored Türkiye’s active role in supporting peace initiatives amid the ongoing war.
During their discussions, Zelenskyy and Fidan addressed pivotal subjects, including the current diplomatic landscape, battlefield developments, and strategies to rejuvenate peace negotiations. Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for Türkiye’s sustained mediation efforts and looked forward to enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly through the implementation of the newly ratified Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement.
Türkiye has adeptly balanced its relations with both Ukraine and Russia throughout the conflict, having previously hosted peace talks in Istanbul and played a crucial role in facilitating prisoner exchanges and the Black Sea grain initiative. Fidan emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to continuing the “Istanbul format” of negotiations and reiterated its readiness to host future peace discussions.
Moreover, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted President Zelenskyy’s willingness to engage in direct dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye, should the circumstances permit. This underscores Ukraine’s openness to explore diplomatic avenues to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.