Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commended Türkiye’s diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia. This accolade came during a meeting in Kyiv with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, where Zelenskyy bestowed upon Fidan the Order of Merit, Second Class, acknowledging Türkiye’s contributions to peace efforts.
The discussions between Zelenskyy and Fidan covered a range of topics, including the current state of diplomacy, battlefield developments, and strategies to rekindle peace negotiations. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s sustained mediation efforts and conveyed optimism for enhanced collaboration, particularly through the recently ratified Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement.
Throughout the conflict, Türkiye has maintained diplomatic relations with both Ukraine and Russia. It has previously facilitated peace talks in Istanbul and played a key role in prisoner exchanges and the Black Sea grain initiative. During the meeting, Fidan emphasized the importance of continuing negotiations under the “Istanbul format” and reiterated Türkiye’s readiness to host any future peace discussions.
In a related statement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha indicated that President Zelenskyy is open to meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye, provided the conditions are conducive. This gesture underscores the ongoing efforts to find a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, with Türkiye positioned as a crucial mediator in the process.