Turkey signals readiness to support Russia-Ukraine peace talks as new US-Russia meeting set for this week
Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan expressed on Monday his country’s readiness to contribute to peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced a new Russia-US meeting to be held this week, according to Anadolu News Agency.
“We are ready to provide every support for the establishment of peace through negotiations,” FM Fidan said, adding that Türkiye is ready to host such talks, the source said.
In a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart, FM Fidan said security guarantees are an issue that Ankara closely follows.
“The security guarantees and other issues raised in the recent talks between the US and Russia are matters we are closely monitoring. In principle, Türkiye is ready to take every step that will contribute to peace,” Fidan said.
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict enters its fourth year, he highlighted that the US has launched an initiative focused on ending the conflict through negotiations.
“We attach great importance to the new US initiative as a results-oriented approach. We believe that a solution can be reached through negotiations in which both sides participate,” the Turkish foreign minister said.
He also added that Ankara will continue to ensure navigation safety in the Black Sea as a key “confidence-building measure.”
For his part, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that the new meeting between Russia and the US will take place later this week to address obstacles in the operation of diplomatic missions.
“We have informed our Turkish friends in detail about the Russian-American talks that took place on February 18 in Riyadh, which were highly appreciated in terms of the opportunity to finally have a normal dialogue, despite the numerous contradictions that, of course, persist,” Lavrov said.
Asked about the prospects of a settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, the top Russian diplomat said Moscow is ready for talks with Ukraine, Europe, and any willing party, but that combat will cease only when a settlement acceptable to Moscow is reached.
“We are ready to negotiate with Ukraine, Europe, and any representatives who would like to help achieve peace in good faith, but we will stop fighting only when these negotiations produce a firm and sustainable result that suits the Russian Federation,” he added.
He further emphasized that Ukraine’s non-accession to NATO should be a key condition in any future peace agreement.
