Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated, “(Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy) There is no other name that all three leaders simultaneously know, trust, and rely on (besides President Erdoğan).”
In an interview with TRT Haber, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan responded to questions from Mücahit Eker regarding current global developments. Fidan emphasized that Türkiye has maintained a consistent stance since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine War, advocating against conflict in the region. He highlighted the devastating toll of the war, noting that it has resulted in over one million casualties, the destruction of major cities, and a crippled regional economy.
Pointing out that the war is nearing its fourth year, Fidan remarked, “It’s not just about two countries; other nations have also taken sides behind them. This is evolving into a more global conflict. From the very beginning, our efforts to stop this war have been driven by this concern. This isn’t merely a war between two nations—it’s a conflict involving countries aligned behind them, with the potential to escalate globally.”
Fidan underscored President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s repeated calls for peace, recalling Türkiye’s initiatives such as the Black Sea Grain Deal, the March 2022 talks, and prisoner exchanges.
With U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent inauguration and his call for a ceasefire, Fidan noted that both parties have expressed their intentions. Türkiye, leveraging its mediation experience, has initiated efforts to facilitate dialogue, with the first meeting between the parties taking place in Istanbul on May 16.
During the May 16 talks, an agreement on prisoner exchanges was reached, with both sides committing to prepare proposals on ceasefire conditions and discussing the potential for a leaders’ summit, Fidan explained. Reflecting on his visits to Moscow and Kyiv, where he held high-level discussions, Fidan said Türkiye has been actively working on a roadmap to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace.
Commenting on the latest meeting, Fidan noted that both sides came prepared, and the discussions took place in a constructive atmosphere. A decision was made for another prisoner exchange, potentially involving over 1,000 individuals. Both Russia and Ukraine presented documents outlining their ceasefire conditions and shared perspectives on a possible leaders’ meeting, agreeing to reconvene for further talks.
“Our Expectation is That the Next Round Will Take Place”
Regarding expectations for future Russia-Ukraine talks, Fidan said, “Our expectation is that the next round will take place. Both sides see the benefit of coming together.” He noted that the discussions were not marked by heated debates but rather by productive negotiations. “Given the current conditions, the psychological barriers, and the war mentality, this was truly the best possible meeting. The key is to keep this dialogue alive and maintain a focus on ceasefire and peace. Our advice to both sides is to stay at the table, whether it’s in Türkiye or elsewhere. They need to keep talking,” he added.
“There is No Other Name Trusted by All Three Leaders”
On the possibility of a leaders’ summit in Türkiye, Fidan relayed that President Erdoğan has expressed his willingness to host such a meeting. He stated, “There is no other name that all three leaders simultaneously know, trust, and rely on, to be honest. A venue can be found, but in terms of political leadership, there is no other leader with such a global stance, tested through years of tough challenges, whose integrity, reliability, and the professionalism of the institutions they lead are comparable.”
Fidan confirmed that during his visits to Kyiv and Moscow, he conveyed Erdoğan’s readiness to host such a summit, stressing that certain outcomes and preparations must be finalized before the leaders can meet. Looking ahead, he added, “If Russia and Ukraine meet a few more times and make progress, a face-to-face leaders’ meeting will become inevitable.”
Addressing different approaches to the Russia-Ukraine War, Fidan pointed out that some parties reject Russia’s strategic posture, its rise, or its efforts to establish an alternative global influence. He noted that under former U.S. President Joe Biden, military and financial aid to Ukraine was sustained, but these commitments are set to expire in a few months.
Fidan suggested that with the conclusion of this aid, decisions made by President Trump could usher in a new phase in the conflict. He revealed that he had spoken by phone with Trump’s Special Representative Steve Witkoff and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, discussing Türkiye’s perspectives on the recent Russia-Ukraine meetings. Rubio shared his own views, and both sides agreed to continue cooperation on this matter.
