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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha held talks Wednesday on the sidelines of an informal NATO foreign ministers meeting in Antalya, focusing on efforts to establish a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine and achieve lasting peace.
During the meeting, Fidan emphasized Türkiye's readiness to provide all necessary support, including hosting mediation and peace talks in Istanbul scheduled for Thursday, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.
"The epicenter of world diplomacy is now in Türkiye, which is playing an active mediation role. We appreciate it," Sybiha later wrote on social media platform X, noting they had a thorough conversation about ways to advance a "meaningful peace process."
Fidan, in an earlier interview with TRT Haber before the NATO meeting, expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming peace negotiations in Istanbul, stating, "I am a bit more hopeful about where we have reached."
"There is incredibly intense diplomatic traffic right now," Fidan added, noting that delegations from America and Russia would be coming to Istanbul, while Ukrainian representatives were also expected to participate.
The Turkish foreign minister emphasized that establishing trust between the warring parties is crucial but difficult when they are left alone. "That's why actors with high credibility and trustworthiness need to be involved. Türkiye is undoubtedly one of the foremost of these actors," Fidan said.
Sybiha reaffirmed "Ukraine's commitment to peace, our immediate and unconditional readiness for a full and durable ceasefire, as well as our offer of the highest-level direct meeting between Ukraine and Russia," according to his social media statement.
Sources indicate the meeting also covered preparations for a planned visit to Türkiye by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though no specific date was mentioned.
The discussions occurred as part of the NATO informal foreign ministers' meeting being hosted by Türkiye, which Fidan described as "very important." The meeting is expected to prepare for the upcoming NATO Leaders Summit scheduled for June in The Hague, Netherlands.
Fidan noted that the agenda includes not only the Russia-Ukraine conflict but also "the war and genocide in Gaza" and other regional issues affecting transatlantic security.
The Turkish foreign minister is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani tomorrow after the NATO meeting concludes.
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