In a recent meeting in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commended Türkiye for its ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war with Russia. The engagement with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan culminated in Zelenskyy bestowing upon him the Order of Merit, Second Class, acknowledging Türkiye’s active role in promoting peace initiatives. The dialogue between the leaders centered around the current state of diplomacy, military developments, and strategies to rejuvenate stalled peace negotiations.
President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards Türkiye for its persistent mediation efforts and conveyed optimism for deepened bilateral cooperation, especially following the ratification of the Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement. Türkiye’s unique position, maintaining relationships with both Ukraine and Russia throughout the conflict, has seen it host crucial peace talks in Istanbul, as well as facilitate prisoner exchanges and the Black Sea grain initiative.
Foreign Minister Fidan underscored the importance of the “Istanbul format” for continued negotiations, reiterating Türkiye’s readiness to host future peace dialogues. This format has previously served as a pivotal platform for discussions between the conflicting parties, showcasing Türkiye’s commitment to peaceful resolution efforts.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha further highlighted President Zelenskyy’s willingness to engage directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye, should circumstances permit such a meeting. This openness to dialogue reflects an ongoing hope for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict that has gripped the region.