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Türkiye has become a key global actor in peace diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and mediation, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday following a Cabinet meeting in the capital.
“Earlier, we spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Last week, we also discussed this issue with U.S. President Donald Trump, focusing on steps to halt the bloodshed,” Erdogan told reporters after the meeting.
“We also support my dear friend President Trump’s commitment to resolving hot conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. Thanks be to Allah, Türkiye has become a country sought after for aid, support, and mediation in global peace diplomacy,” he said.
Saying that humanity has been experiencing some of its most painful days in recent years, President Erdogan noted that nearly every day brings a new conflict, war, or tension.
Erdogan said it is becoming increasingly clear that the world is at a crossroads, adding that the global order established after World War II “has reached the end of its lifespan, while what will replace it remains a mystery.”
“To put it more clearly, humanity is rapidly being dragged into a whirlpool of uncertainty. Türkiye is one of the countries managing this 'chaotic climate,' which affects everyone — big or small — in the best way,” he said.
Erdogan added that Türkiye’s strength, reputation, and crisis management capacity are being increasingly acknowledged, and recent developments have once again demonstrated this reality.
Sunday was a busy day for phone diplomacy, he said, noting he held extensive calls with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Türkiye came very close to finding a solution to the Russia-Ukraine crisis in March 2022, but “due to the interventions of war profiteers,” the country’s efforts were unsuccessful, Erdogan said. He added that the greatest cost of this failure was borne by “civilians, children, and women.”
Addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fourth year, Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye is “the only country trusted by all sides” and expressed readiness to support Thursday’s Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul.
“We are prepared to contribute to these negotiations and will gladly host them,” Erdogan said, adding that recent diplomatic contacts between Moscow and Kyiv have created “new opportunities” for peace. “I believe this chance will not be wasted,” he added.
Erdogan also commented on the recently declared cease-fire between Pakistan and India, welcoming the move and calling on both nations to refrain from future provocations.
“We took a very clear stance both on the heinous terrorist attack in (Indian-administered) Jammu and Kashmir and on the missile strikes targeting Pakistan. While openly declaring our support for the brotherly people of Pakistan, we also made intense efforts to de-escalate the tension, which had risen to very dangerous levels,” Erdogan said.
He expressed hope that the calm achieved through the cease-fire would also help facilitate the resolution of all other issues between the two nations, especially the water dispute.
Ankara will continue to stand by “the brotherly people of Pakistan” in both good times and bad, Erdogan said.
Türkiye consistently supports peace, diplomacy, and cooperation over conflict, he added, stressing that the country rejects zero-sum approaches in international relations and seeks inclusive, win-win solutions through a positive foreign policy agenda.
Turning to domestic security, Erdogan responded to the announcement by the terrorist group PKK that it is dissolving and disarming itself, calling it a “key step” for Türkiye’s security, regional peace, and national unity.
“We view the PKK’s dissolution announcement as a decision that includes all its branches, especially in northern Iraq, Syria, and Europe,” he said.
"We are moving confidently towards our goal of a terror-free Türkiye, overcoming obstacles, breaking prejudices and thwarting the traps of discord," Erdogan added.
The PKK terror group announcement follows a February statement by jailed PKK ringleader Abdullah Ocalan, who called for the dissolution of the PKK and its affiliated groups, urging an end to the armed campaign that has lasted more than four decades.
In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG/PYD is the PKK’s Syrian affiliate.
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