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Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that if U.S. efforts to mediate the Russia-Ukraine war were to fail, alternative mediators such as Türkiye or China could play a role in future negotiations.
"We certainly wish the United States success in its mediation efforts, but if that mediation fails, there are other options," Sikorski said during a joint press conference with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
"Türkiye has maintained open channels with both sides, and China also has the leverage to encourage [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to engage in talks," he added.
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas emphasized that a ceasefire must be the first step before any negotiations between Ukraine and Russia can begin. "It is clear that negotiations cannot take place while war is ongoing," Kallas said. "The sides must first cease hostilities in order to sit at the table."
In a separate report published by Turkish media outlet Hurriyet, columnist Abdulkadir Selvi wrote that U.S. President Donald Trump recently asked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to mediate an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to Selvi, Erdogan responded positively to the proposal. He remains one of the few world leaders who maintains direct dialogue with both President Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The report also notes Erdogan’s prior mediation role in securing prisoner exchanges and grain corridor deals.
Selvi pointed out that had the initial talks in Istanbul not been derailed under U.S. and U.K. pressure, Türkiye might have helped broker peace within the first three months of the war.
Trump is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE between May 13–16, according to Hurriyet, but will not include Israel on his itinerary. During a recent call, Erdogan reportedly invited Trump to Türkiye. Trump, in turn, said he would come to Türkiye "specifically," but expects Erdogan to visit the U.S. first—likely in June.
The report also notes that Erdogan asked Trump to take a more active role in establishing a ceasefire in Gaza. The two leaders reportedly discussed Syria as well, with Erdogan warning that Israeli attacks pose a threat to Syria’s security and stability.
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