President Erdogan sees Ukraine peace near, plans talks with Trump

Erdogan Foresees Path to Ukraine Peace After Putin Meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that a peace settlement for Ukraine appears attainable and signaled Ankara's readiness to engage with US President Donald Trump on a potential plan. Speaking to reporters aboard his return flight from the International Peace and Trust Forum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Erdogan conveyed his optimism following a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Peace is not far off; we can see it," the Turkish president remarked, outlining a diplomatic sequence that includes forthcoming discussions with the American leadership.

Türkiye's Diplomatic Bridge Between Moscow and Washington

Erdogan indicated that his talks with President Putin focused on ongoing conflicts and the diplomatic initiatives launched with President Trump's involvement. He affirmed that Türkiye's balanced and principled stance is well understood by all parties. "Mr. Putin, like all other actors, knows very well where Türkiye stands on this issue," Erdogan stated. He described Türkiye's relations with Russia as being built on a deep historical foundation and mutual trust, beyond short-term interests. The Turkish leader also revealed that Putin committed to a future visit, stating, "He also said ‘I will keep my word.’"

A Call for Black Sea Stability and Regional Issues

Addressing regional security, President Erdogan issued a clear warning against letting the Black Sea become an arena of rivalry. He argued that such a confrontation would serve neither Russia nor Ukraine and underscored the critical importance of guaranteeing freedom and safety of navigation for all in the Black Sea. This emphasis highlights Ankara's priority of maintaining regional stability as a cornerstone of its foreign policy.

Broader Foreign Policy Agenda: EU, Syria, and Gaza

The in-flight briefing also covered a wide range of foreign policy topics. On European relations, Erdogan urged the EU to adopt a strategic vision towards Türkiye's accession process. Regarding Syria, he highlighted the importance of the March 10 agreement for the country's future and Türkiye's desire for prosperity for all Syrians. On the war in Gaza, President Erdogan called for Israel to fully comply with ceasefire commitments and allow normal life to resume, reiterating that Türkiye does not shy away from serious responsibilities in pursuit of peace.