Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commended Türkiye for its diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia. The acknowledgment followed a meeting in Kyiv with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during which Zelenskyy awarded Fidan the Order of Merit, Second Class. This honor was bestowed in recognition of Türkiye’s significant role in supporting peace initiatives between the warring nations.
The discussions between Zelenskyy and Fidan were comprehensive, focusing on the current diplomatic landscape, battlefield developments, and strategies to revive stalled peace negotiations. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s sustained mediation efforts and conveyed optimism about enhancing bilateral cooperation. This includes the execution of the recently ratified Ukraine-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to deepen economic ties between the two countries.
Throughout the conflict, Türkiye has successfully maintained diplomatic relations with both Ukraine and Russia. It has previously played a critical role by hosting peace negotiations in Istanbul and facilitating prisoner exchanges, alongside the Black Sea grain initiative. Foreign Minister Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to the “Istanbul format” of negotiations, emphasizing the country’s readiness to host future peace talks aimed at ending the war.
In addition to the aforementioned discussions, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that President Zelenskyy is open to a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Turkish soil, should the conditions permit such a dialogue. This potential meeting underscores Türkiye’s pivotal position as a mediator and its ongoing efforts to foster a peaceful resolution to the conflict.