ANKARA —Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has extended an official offer to host direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, aiming to broker a ceasefire and long-term peace. In a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, Erdoğan emphasized the urgency of the moment, calling it a pivotal opportunity to end the prolonged conflict.
The development follows a new proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who suggested restarting talks with Kyiv under Turkish mediation. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the possibility of dialogue, but underscored that Moscow must commit to a ceasefire as a condition for participation.
Western nations, including France, have increased pressure on the Kremlin, demanding a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and threatening additional sanctions if Russia refuses.
Turkey, a NATO member with strategic ties to both Moscow and Kyiv, has played a delicate balancing role throughout the war. It has supported Ukraine’s sovereignty, supplied defense aid, and simultaneously refrained from joining Western-led sanctions against Russia.
Ankara previously hosted peace negotiations in March 2022, where early drafts of a settlement were considered. Those talks proposed that Ukraine adopt neutrality and a non-nuclear stance, in exchange for international security guarantees from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s readiness to facilitate renewed peace efforts, stating that Ankara would contribute “in every way possible” to help end the war and pave the path toward a sustainable resolution.