Lavrov: Türkiye and Belarus could mediate in Ukraine conflict

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that both Türkiye and Belarus could play constructive roles as mediators in finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The remarks were made during a joint press conference with Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik, highlighting potential diplomatic pathways forward.

Türkiye's Persistent Peace Efforts

Lavrov specifically mentioned President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's recent engagement, noting, "President Putin recently met with President Erdoğan of Türkiye, who is interested in helping to create a platform." This acknowledgment underscores Türkiye's continued and active diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between the warring parties, building on earlier negotiation attempts.

The Stalled Istanbul Platform

The Russian diplomat placed responsibility for the failure of previous peace talks squarely on Ukraine. "It was the Ukrainians who rejected the Istanbul platform, not us," Lavrov asserted, referring to the earlier rounds of negotiations that took place in the Turkish metropolis. This reference serves to remind the international community of the collapsed peace process.

A Recognized Mediating Role

The identification of Türkiye as a key potential mediator reinforces its unique position as a NATO member that maintains open channels with both Moscow and Kyiv. This statement from Russia's top diplomat signals a continued openness to Turkish brokerage in future diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the hostilities, while also bringing Moscow's ally Belarus into the potential mediation framework.