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Türkiye is not currently planning a leaders-level summit on Ukraine, the presidential administration said Thursday, despite earlier initiatives by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calling for dialogue to advance the peace process, according to RIA.
Erdogan has repeatedly emphasized that concrete results in resolving the conflict cannot be achieved without high-level negotiations. Ankara has positioned itself as a mediator between Moscow and Kyiv, citing its experience facilitating the “grain deal” and other humanitarian initiatives.
A Türkiye diplomatic source said Erdogan plans to raise the topic of Ukrainian peace efforts during contacts on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, urging the organization of a leaders’ summit.
Since the start of the war, Erdogan has maintained dialogue with both Moscow and Kyiv, positioning Türkiye as a mediator. The successful “grain corridor” deal highlighted Ankara’s diplomatic capacity on the global stage.
On May 16, Türkiye hosted direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Working Office—the first such meeting since 2022. Chaired by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the 1-hour 45-minute session allowed both sides to present their positions. Fidan urged delegates to use the opportunity “in the path of peace” amid mounting casualties.
Though no leaders attended, the Istanbul talks underscored Türkiye’s role not only as a facilitator but also as a strategic actor in efforts to revive the peace process.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should travel to Moscow if he is ready for a meeting. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha listed Austria, the Vatican, Türkiye, Switzerland, and three Gulf states as potential meeting locations.
U.S. President Donald Trump reported preparations for a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, potentially followed by a trilateral meeting including him. Russian officials indicated support for continuing direct negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that a meeting with Zelenskyy should have a genuine presidential agenda and should not be used merely to confer legitimacy on the Ukrainian leader.
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