During his return from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. Erdogan stated that while direct talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky have not yet materialized, Turkey remains committed to facilitating peace-focused dialogue. He highlighted Turkey’s historical role in resolving issues through the Istanbul talks, which have resulted in notable outcomes such as the grain corridor and prisoner exchanges.
Erdogan expressed hope that negotiations could be elevated to a higher level, ideally at the leadership level, but noted that both leaders were not yet ready for a summit. He underscored the importance of continued contact and engagement, stating that Turkey’s mediation efforts would remain relevant in the future. Meanwhile, Russian President Putin reaffirmed Ankara’s role as a mediator during his bilateral meeting with Erdogan, indicating that his country’s engagement with Turkey would continue despite the ongoing conflict.
Although no official summit has been scheduled, the possibility of higher-level talks remains open. Ukrainian President Zelensky had previously agreed to resume direct negotiations with Moscow after encouragement from the Trump administration. However, the process was unilaterally abandoned in 2022, and several rounds of discussions have since led to prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of soldiers’ remains. The current diplomatic climate is marked by cautious optimism, with key players seeking to move the situation forward through dialogue and mediation.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that discussions about raising the level of negotiations between Putin and Trump had taken place, but no final decisions were made. Meanwhile, Trump has maintained his call for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, suggesting that a trilateral meeting involving himself, Putin, and Zelensky could potentially bring the parties closer. Despite the uncertainty, the diplomatic landscape continues to evolve, with all parties remaining committed to exploring diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict.