Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commended Türkiye for its diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Russia. This commendation followed a meeting in Kyiv with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during which Zelenskyy honored Fidan with the Order of Merit, Second Class. The accolade recognizes Türkiye’s significant contributions to peace efforts in the region.
During their discussions, Zelenskyy and Fidan addressed the current diplomatic landscape, recent developments on the battlefield, and potential steps to revive peace negotiations. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s continuous mediation efforts and conveyed optimism about strengthening bilateral relations, particularly through the newly ratified Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement.
Türkiye has played a unique role in maintaining connections with both Ukraine and Russia throughout the conflict. The country has previously hosted peace talks in Istanbul and facilitated initiatives such as prisoner exchanges and the Black Sea grain initiative. Fidan emphasized the importance of continuing the “Istanbul format” of negotiations and reiterated Türkiye’s readiness to host future peace discussions.
Additionally, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that President Zelenskyy is open to meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye, should circumstances permit. This statement underscores the ongoing diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the conflict.