Erdoğan talks with Putin again about Ukraine peace talks - What we know
Photo: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke by phone with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Among other topics, they discussed the possibility of a new meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul, according to the Turkish leader’s office and the Kremlin’s Telegram channel.
Erdoğan and Putin also discussed bilateral relations between Türkiye and Russia, as well as regional and global issues.
In particular, the Turkish leader called the clashes in Syria’s Sweida region a threat to the entire area. He also emphasized the importance of Israel not violating Syria’s sovereignty.
Erdoğan assured that Türkiye wants to ensure stability and security in Syria and to help quickly rebuild the country.
"Erdoğan stressed the importance of starting the third round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and said that Türkiye is ready to continue to host meetings in Istanbul when the parties agree on the appropriate dates," the Turkish President’s office specified.
This is not the first time Erdoğan has raised the topic of talks with Ukraine during calls with Putin. In May, he said that a window of opportunity had opened for achieving peace.
Kremlin's version
Meanwhile, the Kremlin reported that Putin is reportedly concerned about the events in Syria and emphasized the importance of the swift stabilization of the situation through dialogue.
The Kremlin's leader also cynically stated the need to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During discussions about Russia’s war against Ukraine, Putin claimed he is supposedly committed to seeking a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict. He thanked Erdoğan for his willingness to host negotiations in Istanbul.
Ukraine-Russia negotiations
Ukraine and Russia have already held two rounds of talks in Istanbul this year.
The main outcome of these talks has been large-scale prisoner exchanges between the warring countries. However, no concrete decisions leading to peace have been made. In particular, Russia continues to refuse to cease fire without ultimatums.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 21 that Russia uses such negotiations to delay sanctions.
At the same time, a source from RBC-Ukraine in the government stated on June 19 that there is currently no substantive basis for a third meeting with Russia in Istanbul.
