As the second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks kicked off in Istanbul, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan declared Türkiye’s readiness to take “any necessary step” to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation between the warring sides.
Speaking at the opening session held at the historic Çırağan Palace, Fidan emphasized that Türkiye’s priority is to help achieve a lasting peace, which he said would also ease global concerns related to energy, food, and transportation security.
Fidan highlighted the importance of trust placed in Türkiye by both Russia and Ukraine, noting the strong historical, cultural, and political ties between the nations. He confirmed that President Erdoğan remains in regular contact with both Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Russian President Putin to advance the peace process.
The foreign minister praised the outcome of the first meeting on May 16, where 1,000 prisoners were exchanged on each side, calling it a major step forward. Current discussions focus on ceasefire conditions, further prisoner exchanges, and preparations for a future leaders’ summit.
Fidan also underlined the importance of international backing, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump’s support has opened a “new window of opportunity” for peace.
Also attending the meeting are Türkiye’s intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın and Chief of the General Staff Gen. Metin Gürak.
Türkiye continues to play a critical mediating role in the conflict, maintaining dialogue with both Moscow and Kyiv.
