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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for renewed diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war during a meeting in Ankara on Wednesday, emphasizing the need to revive negotiations that stalled in 2022.
The two leaders stressed the importance of what they termed the "Istanbul process" — referring to talks held in Türkye's largest city earlier in the conflict — as a framework for achieving a ceasefire and lasting peace. Erdogan said Türkiye stands ready to discuss with Russia "any proposals that would accelerate ceasefire" and "pave the way for just, lasting peace," while Zelenskyy expressed confidence in Turkish diplomacy's ability to engage with Moscow.
"We trust the power of Turkish diplomacy and its ability to be understood in Moscow," Zelenskyy said during a joint appearance with Erdogan at the Presidential Complex.
The Istanbul process refers to negotiations that took place between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Türkiye during the early months of the war. According to Erdogan, three rounds of talks achieved progress particularly on humanitarian issues, with direct discussions on ceasefire, peace proposals and military matters between the parties.
Zelenskyy highlighted Türkiye's role in facilitating prisoner exchanges, saying Ankara has provided "great support" on the issue. He expressed hope that such exchanges could resume by the end of the year, noting that the Istanbul process had already enabled the return of 2,000 soldiers.
The Ukrainian president thanked Türkiye for supporting Ukrainian independence and sovereignty, describing Ankara's stance on the war as "very important" for Kyiv. Türkiye has maintained diplomatic relations with both Ukraine and Russia throughout the conflict, positioning itself as a potential mediator while supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Erdogan argued that the Istanbul process should be implemented with a "comprehensive framework that can address now-acute problems," suggesting the original talks could serve as a foundation for renewed negotiations. He said the discussions represent "an important milestone in diplomatic efforts at a time when devastating effects of the war are deepening."
The Turkish president called on all partners seeking to end the bloodshed to display a "constructive stance" toward the Istanbul process. He also expressed hope that Türkiye's ally, the United States, would become involved in the peace efforts.
Beyond the peace process, the leaders discussed bilateral relations, with Erdogan reaffirming Türkiye's commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and pledging continued support for Crimean Tatars. The two countries set a goal of increasing bilateral trade to $10 billion.
Zelenskyy acknowledged the challenges Ukraine faces in defending against attacks and securing necessary weapons systems, thanking Türkiye for its support. He emphasized that peace and security must be guaranteed for any settlement to hold.
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