Is Turkey Prepared to Support Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks?

Ankara, May 13 (NationPress) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan engaged in a phone discussion with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, affirming Turkey's dedication to facilitating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, as per a release from Erdogan's office.

Erdogan underscored that a comprehensive ceasefire is crucial for establishing the appropriate atmosphere for initiating discussions and urged all involved parties to capitalize on the current opportunity for diplomatic dialogue aimed at resolving the conflict.

He expressed his readiness to host both Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Turkey for the peace negotiations, according to Xinhua news agency.

This call with Zelensky followed Erdogan's conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Erdogan reiterated Turkey's willingness to once again host peace discussions between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul.

After a cabinet meeting on Monday, Erdogan stated that Turkey has emerged as a pivotal player in global peace diplomacy, highlighting its role in mediation, humanitarian assistance, and conflict resolution.

Additionally, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan supported the president's stance, declaring that Turkey is "prepared to offer all forms of assistance, particularly in facilitating and hosting" negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

During a joint press briefing on Monday in Ankara with his Syrian and Jordanian counterparts, Fidan mentioned that discussions concerning the logistics of the proposed assembly are still in progress.

"Ukraine insists on a ceasefire before negotiations commence, while Russia prefers to initiate talks prior to declaring any truce," Fidan noted, adding that both parties are striving to ensure ongoing support from the United States.

"Despite this, our position remains unequivocal. We urge both parties to convene as swiftly as possible to commence a ceasefire," he asserted.

In a statement to reporters at the Kremlin on Sunday, Putin suggested the resumption of direct discussions with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul. He affirmed that Russia is committed to meaningful negotiations with Ukraine to tackle the underlying issues of the ongoing conflict and to establish a foundation for lasting peace.

In reaction, Zelensky stated that it is an encouraging sign that Russia is beginning to contemplate the end of the war. Nonetheless, he insisted on a ceasefire starting Monday as the first step toward achieving this aim.

In 2022, direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators took place in Istanbul but failed to reach an agreement to halt the hostilities.