Erdogan: Turkey’s push to end the war has won widespread praise

Turkey is one of the most active countries working to ensure a permanent cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia, President Tayyip Erdogan said ahead of a summit where he will meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin to discuss peace talks between Russia and the West.

“With its unique position of having friendly relations with both Russia and Ukraine, Türkiye has won widespread praise for its push to end the war,” Erdogan said after a cabinet meeting. 

Erdogan will meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin once again this week on the sidelines of the Council of CIS Heads of State in Kazakhstan.

The two leaders are expected to discuss the feasibility of peace talks between Russia and the West in Turkey. 

Turkey’s Milliyet newspaper reported on October 7 that Turkey planned to arrange Russia’s talks on Ukraine with four Western powers (the UK, Germany, the US and France) but there has been no official confirmation of the report.

“Turkey’s delicately balanced act of assuming a role as a mediator by keeping communication channels with both warring sides open provides a glimmer of hope in diplomatic efforts to find a solution and achieve peace in the Ukraine crisis,” Erdogan said.