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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan engaged in a series of diplomatic calls Tuesday with U.S. and European counterparts to discuss outcomes of the recent high-stakes meetings aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.
Fidan spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about results from President Donald Trump's Aug. 15 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and Monday's follow-up summit in Washington between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
During the call with Rubio, Fidan expressed Türkiye's readiness to provide "all kinds of support" to achieve a just and lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.
The two officials agreed on the need to stop the killing between the warring nations, according to U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
Peace efforts have reached an advanced stage following the Alaska and Washington meetings, with major sticking points reportedly centering on potential land swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine.
The Turkish and U.S. foreign ministers also discussed ongoing ceasefire talks in Gaza, where Israel has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians since October 2023.
"A lasting ceasefire is needed without delay," Fidan told Rubio, underlining the urgent need for uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Fidan and Rubio also addressed developments in Syria, where a new transitional administration led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed in January after the Baath Party regime ended in December following 61 years in power.
Both diplomats highlighted the importance of Syria's peace, unity and territorial integrity.
Additional regional issues discussed included the recent peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan brokered by the U.S. on Aug. 8, and Iran's nuclear program.
Fidan also held separate phone conversations with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to evaluate outcomes from the Alaska and Washington meetings.
The diplomatic outreach coincided with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte calling President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his way back from the summit with Trump and EU leaders.
"NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his way back from a summit with the U.S. President (Donald Trump) and EU leaders," Türkiye's Communications Directorate said on Turkish social media platform NSosyal.
Erdogan and Rutte agreed on close coordination and Türkiye's key role in the Ukraine peace process "as one of NATO's most important" members, according to the statement. The two leaders underscored Ankara's important role in Black Sea security and discussed viable and sustainable security guarantees.
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