Turkey: "Direct Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Could Be Held in Istanbul"

Erdogan Expresses Willingness to Mediate
Between Russia and Ukraine at "Coalition of Will" Summit

Turkey has expressed its intention to host bilateral talks between Russia and Ukraine aimed at ending the war on its own soil.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkey, on the 19th (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

According to the Turkish presidential office on the 25th (local time), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made this statement while attending the "Coalition of Will" summit, which was held virtually.

During the meeting, President Erdogan stated, "Turkey will continue its diplomatic efforts to facilitate direct contact between the parties in order to achieve a just and lasting peace as soon as possible."

He also said, "Direct negotiations between the parties could be held in Istanbul, and Turkey is in contact with both Ukraine and Russia to make this happen."

President Erdogan further mentioned that issues such as energy and port facilities should also be addressed as part of a comprehensive peace agreement.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Turkey brokered a peace meeting in Antalya in southern Turkey, attended by the foreign ministers of both countries, and later mediated the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which restored export routes for Ukrainian agricultural products.

This year as well, Turkey has mediated three rounds of working-level talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul since May.

Meanwhile, the "Coalition of Will" refers to an international consultative body supporting Ukraine, led by France and the United Kingdom. According to the Turkish presidential office, representatives from 35 countries attended the virtual meeting that day. Despite ongoing discussions on a peace plan led by the United States, the participants agreed to increase pressure on Russia, noting that Russia does not appear willing to agree to a ceasefire.

After the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the European Union would pursue two initiatives: utilizing frozen Russian assets and strengthening security guarantees for Ukraine. He emphasized the need to use the frozen assets to secure funding for Ukrainian support and to build robust security guarantees through unlimited support for the Ukrainian military.