Ankara, February 18, 2025 – The Europe Today: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reaffirmed Türkiye’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty while offering Ankara as a potential host for future negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.
During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ankara on Tuesday, both leaders criticized the exclusion of Ukraine, European states, and Türkiye from recent U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh. They emphasized that no resolution to the war could be reached without Kyiv’s direct participation.
“Türkiye has taken a very principled stance on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated, expressing gratitude for Ankara’s past mediation efforts, particularly in facilitating the release of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. He underscored the necessity of Ukraine and Türkiye being included in any future peace discussions with Russia.
Erdogan, reiterating Türkiye’s long-standing commitment to diplomatic solutions, assured that Ankara would continue supporting negotiations aimed at achieving lasting peace.
“This war, which has caused countless innocent deaths and immense destruction, must end now,” he asserted. Erdogan further stated that Türkiye would provide “all kinds of support” to facilitate meaningful dialogue, emphasizing that peace “has no losers” and that the world is awaiting an end to the conflict.
Zelenskyy Condemns Riyadh Meeting, Cancels Saudi Visit
Zelenskyy voiced strong disapproval of the recent Russia-U.S. meeting in Riyadh, revealing that Ukraine had not been informed beforehand and had only learned about it through media reports.
“It was a surprise to us,” he remarked, asserting that any talks excluding Ukraine could not produce effective results. In response to the exclusion, Zelenskyy canceled his planned visit to Saudi Arabia and announced that he is now awaiting a U.S. delegation in Kyiv to discuss the situation.
Türkiye as a Mediator
Positioning Türkiye as a key diplomatic player, Erdogan proposed Ankara as a host for future peace negotiations. He emphasized that Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts would continue through engagements led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his own direct discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I hope that in our meetings, we will ensure the path to peace,” Erdogan stated. Stressing the necessity of an inclusive diplomatic framework, he added, “Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty remain indisputable in our eyes, and Türkiye will continue to work toward a resolution where all parties are engaged.”
While the war continues to cause widespread devastation, both leaders signaled a renewed push for diplomacy. With Türkiye offering itself as a neutral ground for discussions, its role in mediation remains pivotal in shaping the next phase of peace efforts involving Ukraine, Russia, and key international stakeholders.
