In a recent meeting held in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lauded Türkiye’s ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia. The dialogue took place with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was honored with the Order of Merit, Second Class. This accolade was bestowed upon Fidan in acknowledgment of Türkiye’s significant contributions to peace initiatives.
The discussions between Zelenskyy and Fidan centered on the current diplomatic landscape, battlefield developments, and potential strategies to rejuvenate peace negotiations. President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s steadfast role as a mediator and voiced optimism for enhanced collaboration, particularly following the recent ratification of the Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement.
Throughout the conflict, Türkiye has successfully maintained relations with both Ukraine and Russia. The nation has facilitated previous peace talks in Istanbul and played a crucial role in prisoner exchanges and the implementation of the Black Sea grain initiative. During the meeting, Foreign Minister Fidan emphasized the importance of continuing the “Istanbul format” for negotiations and reiterated Türkiye’s readiness to host future peace discussions.
Adding to the diplomatic dialogue, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha indicated that President Zelenskyy is willing to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye, contingent on favorable conditions. This sentiment underscores the ongoing search for viable diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict.