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Leaders' summit on Ukraine preparations continue as Turkish efforts to organize a high-level meeting on resolving the Ukraine conflict progress, but concrete agreements between the parties must precede such a meeting, a Turkish diplomatic source told Russian media outlet RIA Novosti.
"Of course, Turkish efforts in this direction will continue. But for a summit, specific work and agreements are needed, which are already being considered at the leadership level," the source said.
The date for the next round of negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations has not been determined, but Türkiye is ready to host them, the Turkish diplomatic source confirmed to RIA Novosti.
"No, they have not been determined yet," the source said when asked about timing for the next round. "Türkiye is ready to receive them when the parties express such desire."
Speaking after a recent cabinet meeting, Erdogan said his "greatest wish" is to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy together in Istanbul or Ankara.
"We are sincerely striving to establish a sustainable peace that both sides will accept. Türkiye is a country that has earned everyone's trust with its fair stance," he said.
"I would even like to bring (U.S. President Donald) Trump along," he emphasized, as Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul for a second round of negotiations.
Erdogan announced that in the event of leaders coming together in Türkiye, he "will also meet with them at this meeting so that we can turn Istanbul into a center of peace."
The Turkish president emphasized that Türkiye's stance has been clear since the first day of the war and that they never wanted to see conflict, fighting, war, and oppression in the region.
"We are sincerely striving to establish a sustainable peace that both sides will accept. Türkiye is a country that has earned everyone's trust with its fair stance," he said.
Türkiye successfully brought Russian and Ukrainian delegations to the same table in Istanbul after three years, following the bloody war that began in February 2022.
After initially bringing Russia and Ukraine together in both Antalya and Istanbul in the same year the conflict started, Türkiye succeeded again in May 2025 in getting the delegations back to negotiations in Istanbul.
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place at the Presidential Dolmabahce Working Office in Istanbul on May 16.
The two sides agreed on conducting a "1000-for-1000" major prisoner exchange, detailed discussions on a possible cease-fire, and continuing negotiations.
Two countries also announced the completion of the prisoner swap agreed upon in Istanbul on May 25.
The second round of talks between Ukraine and Russia took place on June 2 in Istanbul at the Ciragan Palace.
After the second round of talks, it was agreed by the two sides to exchange prisoners of war on an equal basis, with a minimum of 1,000 from each side, primarily in the categories of wounded, seriously ill, and prisoners of war under 25 years of age.
Both sides also announced a mutual agreement to exchange the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers each.
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