Meloni and Erdoğan support peace talks and call on Russia to ceasefire

On Tuesday, May 13, Meloni held a phone conversation with the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In the context of Ankara’s willingness to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, the leaders discussed diplomatic prospects and reaffirmed their support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

"President Meloni thanked President Erdoğan for Türkiye’s efforts towards a negotiated solution able to bring an end to the conflict and reaffirmed the expectation for also Russia to respond positively, as Ukraine has done, to the invitation to talks at the highest level, accepting a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, as a concrete signal of its willingness for peace," the statement said.

Peace talks in Istanbul

After the three-day ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin from May 8 to 11 ended, Ukraine and the leaders of the European member states of the Coalition of the Willing issued an ultimatum to Moscow, demanding the start of a full 30-day ceasefire on the front line beginning May 12. In case of refusal, the EU countries would impose new, harsh sanctions against Russia.

However, Putin stated that Moscow does not accept the language of ultimatums and instead proposed a meeting in Istanbul on May 15 to resume peace talks that were halted in May 2022 after the atrocities committed by Russian forces in Bucha came to light.

Türkiye has volunteered to act as a mediator in these negotiations.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to visit Istanbul on May 15, as he does not want to offend US President Donald Trump.

Trump himself might even attend the negotiations in Istanbul in person.

At the same time, Putin has not yet responded as to whether he is willing to personally attend the talks in Türkiye.