ISTANBUL – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has extended an invitation for a peace summit between Russia and Ukraine, aiming to mediate the ongoing conflict that has persisted for over two years. The announcement follows Erdogan’s discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul, where the leaders addressed the pressing issues facing Ukraine amid its recent territorial losses and delays in Western aid.
Turkey, a NATO member, has positioned itself as a potential mediator between Moscow and Kyiv, leveraging its strategic location on the Black Sea and control of the Bosphorus Strait. Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s readiness to facilitate a peace summit that includes Russia, expressing solidarity with Ukraine while advocating for a just resolution through negotiations.
However, Zelensky dismissed the idea of direct negotiations with Russia, asserting that Ukraine and Western leaders should define peace on their terms. He highlighted an upcoming peace summit in Switzerland, where Ukraine plans to present its own “peace formula” but ruled out Russian participation, citing ongoing destructive actions by Russian forces.
The talks between Erdogan and Zelensky were described as productive, with Turkey offering mediation efforts on issues such as Black Sea grain exports and prisoner exchanges. Both leaders discussed port security, navigation safety in the Black Sea, and food security, expressing shared opinions on key matters.
Turkey had previously hosted unsuccessful ceasefire talks between Kyiv and Moscow in the early stages of the conflict and is now eager to revive them. The country’s unique military, political, and economic role in the conflict stems from its strategic location and control over crucial waterways.
In July 2022, Turkey, in collaboration with the United Nations, brokered a Black Sea grain deal between Ukraine and Russia, ensuring the safe passage of Ukrainian agricultural exports. However, Moscow abandoned the initiative a year later, citing unfair terms. Since then, Kyiv has sought alternative shipping routes to avoid contested international waters.
Turkey’s efforts to maintain relations with both Moscow and Kyiv have faced scrutiny from Western allies, particularly concerning its reliance on Russian energy. The United States has sanctioned several Turkish companies for assisting Russia in procuring goods for its armed forces.
The Erdogan-Zelensky meeting occurred a week after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. While Russian President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to Turkey was postponed, the Kremlin has indicated a rescheduling without specifying a date.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with both sides accusing each other of civilian casualties resulting from drone strikes deep behind enemy lines. A Ukrainian drone attack in the Russian border region of Belgorod claimed two lives, while a Russian drone attack in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region resulted in casualties in the town of Vovchansk.
