KABUL (Pajhwok): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Türkiye is actively working to restart negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and to facilitate a possible meeting between the leaders of the two countries.
Erdogan made the remarks during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Ankara, according to a Turkish presidency statement cited by Al Jazeera on Thursday.
The presidency said Erdogan emphasized Türkiye’s continued efforts to help end the Russia-Ukraine conflict through peaceful means and to revive diplomatic talks, including engagement at the leadership level.
He also told Rutte that maintaining transatlantic relations remains “indispensable,” while stressing that European NATO members should assume greater responsibility for collective security within the alliance.
In a separate phone call with German Chancellor Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday, Erdogan briefed him on Ankara’s initiatives aimed at achieving a durable peace in Ukraine through negotiations, according to the presidency.
Erdogan further noted that ongoing conflicts were placing increasing strain on Europe, warning that the situation could worsen if global powers fail to adopt more peace-focused approaches.
The Turkish presidency also said Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s efforts to help end both the Ukraine-Russia war and tensions involving Iran through diplomatic engagement.
Earlier the same day, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv had requested Türkiye, as a NATO member, to host a possible leaders’ summit with Russia. He added that similar requests had been made to other capitals.
Meanwhile, Russian state media quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that President Vladimir Putin would be willing to meet only in the context of finalizing agreements related to the conflict.
Peskov was cited as saying that while Putin is open to talks “at any time,” the purpose and outcome of such a meeting would be crucial in determining its feasibility.
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