Ankara, May 15, 2025 – Turkey has once again taken center stage in diplomatic efforts to secure peace between Russia and Ukraine. The critical meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Presidential Complex in Ankara has captured global attention. Following the 2-hour and 45-minute meeting, all eyes are now on the planned Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul. Zelenskyy’s statement, “Out of respect for Trump and Erdoğan, we will send a delegation to Istanbul,” highlighted the trust placed in Turkey’s mediation role, while Erdoğan’s remark, “A historic opportunity has been seized to begin negotiations,” reflected confidence in the peace process.
Details of the Meeting
The closed-door bilateral meeting and inter-delegation working dinner at the Presidential Complex were attended by Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Head of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) İbrahim Kalın, and Presidential Chief Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç. According to a statement from the Communications Directorate, the discussions focused on efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, bilateral relations, and regional issues.
President Erdoğan expressed his pleasure at hosting Zelenskyy in Ankara. Emphasizing the need for a resolution through direct negotiations, Erdoğan stated, “At this stage, reaching a consensus on minimum common grounds is critical to preventing further loss of life. A historic opportunity has been seized to begin negotiations. I strongly support talks at both the technical and leadership levels.” Highlighting Turkey’s commitment to keeping dialogue channels open between Ukraine and Russia, Erdoğan added, “As the host, we would be pleased to welcome the leaders of both countries in Turkey when they are ready.”
Turkey’s neutral mediation role in this process once again demonstrates its effectiveness in both regional and global diplomacy. Istanbul’s hosting of the peace talks is seen as a result of Turkey’s balanced relations with both Russia and Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s Statements: Hope and Criticism Intertwined
Following the meeting, Zelenskyy held a press conference at the Ukrainian Embassy, delivering key messages on the peace process. “Out of respect for Trump and Erdoğan, we will send a delegation to Istanbul to express our determination on the path to peace,” Zelenskyy said, underscoring his trust in Turkey’s mediation. However, he sharply criticized Russia’s stance, stating, “The Russian side continues its frivolous attitude. They are not in favor of a ceasefire.”
Drawing attention to the sensitivity of the peace process, Zelenskyy remarked, “We will not overlook even the smallest step toward peace.” Clearly outlining Ukraine’s priorities, he asserted, “There must be a complete and unconditional ceasefire. Russia is openly telling the world it does not want to end this war,” and called for sanctions against Moscow. He also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not attend the Istanbul talks and that no clear signal had been received from former U.S. President Donald Trump: “Putin will not come, and Trump has sent his signal, but we have not received clear information. No one has contacted me.”
Russia’s Stance and Delegation Controversy
Ahead of the planned peace talks at the Dolmabahçe Working Office in Istanbul, the Kremlin announced the delegation from Moscow late yesterday evening. However, Ukraine criticized the delegation as “symbolic.” Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s approach, saying, “The level of the Russian delegation is nothing but a deception.” In response, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova harshly criticized Zelenskyy, calling him a “clown and a failure.” These exchanges highlight one of the key obstacles to the peace process.
Importance of the Peace Process and Global Attention
The meeting between Erdoğan and Zelenskyy has raised hopes for the upcoming peace talks in Istanbul, with Turkey’s mediation role closely followed by the international community. Erdoğan’s statement, “We would be pleased to host the leaders of both countries when they are ready,” reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to the process and underscored its key role in regional stability and peace.
According to additional information gathered from the web, international media is also closely monitoring these developments. Reuters described Erdoğan’s hosting of Zelenskyy as “a global effort for peace talks,” while The Times of Israel emphasized Turkey’s neutral position in diplomacy. Anadolu Agency highlighted Zelenskyy’s remark about “respect for Trump and Erdoğan” as a diplomatic success for Turkey.
The meeting between Erdoğan and Zelenskyy in Ankara has resonated widely on the global stage. The upcoming peace talks in Istanbul are seen as a potential turning point in the Russia-Ukraine war. As a neutral mediator, Turkey stands at the center of the process, with Zelenskyy’s hopeful yet cautious statements and Erdoğan’s resolute stance raising expectations for peace. However, Russia’s attitude, criticized as frivolous, remains one of the biggest question marks in the process.
The world is now focused on Istanbul. Turkey’s involvement in the peace efforts is being closely watched not only regionally but also globally. The future of the peace process will depend on the steps taken by the parties involved and Turkey’s diplomatic efforts.
