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Türkiye stands ready to host a fourth round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and could convene a summit of leaders in Istanbul, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saturday, as Ankara positions itself as a key mediator in the grinding conflict.
"We reaffirm our readiness to host a fourth round of talks and a possible leaders' summit in Istanbul," Fidan said during the TRT World Forum in the Turkish city.
Türkiye has previously facilitated three rounds of dialogue between the warring parties and helped broker prisoner exchanges since Russia's invasion began in February 2022. Fidan emphasized Türkiye's unique position maintaining communication channels with both Moscow and Kyiv.
"As a country maintaining constructive dialogue with both sides, Türkiye successfully facilitated their return to the negotiating table through the Istanbul process," he said.
The foreign minister's remarks came as he addressed a session on middle powers and emerging multipolarity at the forum, which convened under the theme "Global Reset: From the Old Order to New Realities."
Fidan painted a picture of an international system in flux, where traditional powers face declining influence and multilateral institutions struggle to manage overlapping crises. "If we were to describe the current international system in a single word, it would certainly be uncertainty," he said.
He called for fundamental reforms to global institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council, arguing that decision-making structures favoring a small group of nations must give way to more equitable representation. "The challenge we face today is not the absence of rules but their unequal application," Fidan said.
The minister outlined a diplomatic philosophy centered on regional ownership of conflicts, citing Türkiye's involvement across multiple theaters including the Balkans, South Caucasus, Middle East and Africa. "Stability cannot be imposed; it must be cultivated," he said.
Fidan devoted significant attention to Gaza, where he said Türkiye has worked "from day one to stop the genocide" under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership. He credited a September meeting in New York between Erdogan, U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders from eight Muslim-majority nations as pivotal in reaching a ceasefire agreement later finalized in Egypt.
"Although the ceasefire agreement remains fragile due to Israel's continued aggression, it nevertheless offers a crucial opportunity to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza," Fidan said. "We must ensure its full implementation."
He stressed that any lasting settlement must include a two-state solution and Palestinian governance of Gaza. "The ceasefire is not an end in itself," he said, adding that "we must make sure that Gaza is governed by Palestinians."
Throughout his address, Fidan emphasized Türkiye's commitment to multilateral diplomacy as global power dynamics shift. "Our vision is clear: We stand firmly on the side of cooperation, dialogue, and inclusive multilateralism," he said.
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