Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has lauded Türkiye’s efforts in diplomacy aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia. This commendation came during a meeting in Kyiv with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. As a gesture of appreciation, Zelenskyy presented Fidan with the Order of Merit, Second Class, acknowledging Türkiye’s significant role in promoting peace initiatives.
The discussions between Zelenskyy and Fidan centered on the current diplomatic landscape, battlefield developments, and strategies to rejuvenate peace negotiations. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s steadfast mediation efforts and voiced optimism for enhanced collaboration, particularly in the context of the recently approved Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement.
Türkiye has consistently maintained balanced relations with both Ukraine and Russia since the onset of the conflict. It has previously facilitated peace talks in Istanbul and played a crucial role in managing prisoner exchanges and the Black Sea grain initiative. During the meeting, Fidan emphasized the importance of continuing the “Istanbul format” for negotiations and reiterated Türkiye’s willingness to host future peace discussions.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha added that President Zelenskyy is open to the possibility of meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye, should the conditions become favorable. This readiness underscores Ukraine’s commitment to seeking a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.