Erdoğan says Russia's push for new Ukraine talks boosts peace hopes
Photo: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Türkiye (Getty Images)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says Russia's proposal to hold the next round of negotiations with Ukraine strengthens hopes for peace, reports Sky News.
During a conversation with journalists, Erdoğan stated that the Turkish government is in contact with Ukraine and Russia. In particular, the recent momentum in peace efforts provides an opportunity to achieve lasting peace.
"The road to a resolution goes through more dialogue, more diplomacy. We are using all our diplomatic power and potential for peace," he said.
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine
On May 16, the first meeting in several years between delegations from Ukraine and Russia took place in Türkiye, during which the parties discussed possible ways to end the war. On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Türkiye to meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, but Putin ignored the call for a personal meeting.
The Ukrainian delegation was led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and the Russian delegation was led by Putin's aide, Vladimir Medinsky.
One of the main issues on the agenda was a large-scale prisoner exchange in a 1,000 for 1,000 format, which was carried out in three stages over the past weekend.
Russia proposed that Ukraine hold a second round of ceasefire talks on Monday, June 2, in Istanbul.
