Ukrainian President Meets Turkish Leader
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy traveled to Ankara, where he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Erdoğan expressed his desire to see both Russia and Ukraine return to the “Istanbul Process” talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.
During the meeting, Erdoğan noted he hoped that “our partners who want to end the bloodshed” would engage constructively in the negotiations led by Turkey. This may have been a direct nod to former President Donald Trump, who has attempted various interventions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2014, but hasn’t yet achieved lasting peace.
Erdoğan has positioned Turkey as a key player in facilitating negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, especially regarding grain transport agreements. Turkey, being a NATO member, maintains a unique status but has also engaged with Russia, including pursuing military purchases that conflict with NATO’s protocols.
According to Türkiye’s state-run Anadolu Agency, Erdoğan welcomed Zelenskiy’s visit, indicating they discussed reviving the Istanbul Process to use Turkey as a platform for diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s aggression. Erdoğan characterized these potential discussions as a “comprehensive framework” that could tackle significant issues, citing past partial successes when Turkey mediated talks.
Erdoğan remarked, “We believe that the Istanbul negotiations are an important milestone in diplomatic efforts,” particularly as the impacts of war continue to escalate for both sides. He emphasized the need for all parties to adopt a constructive stance towards this initiative.
After his meeting, Zelenskiy described the dialogue as “very productive,” expressing appreciation for the trust between Ukraine and Turkey. He acknowledged the importance of Turkey’s mediation but did not explicitly commit to the Istanbul Process. Instead, he stressed the need for a dignified peace and security, asserting that “war must end” and there is no substitute for peace.
Zelenskiy also highlighted the influence of Turkish diplomacy in Moscow, thanking Turkey for its support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. He expressed gratitude to Erdoğan via social media but maintained that impactful U.S. intervention was necessary to halt Russian aggression.
He stated, “Since the beginning of this year, we in Ukraine have supported every decisive step and leadership of President Trump. All strong and fair proposals are aimed at ending this war,” indicating that U.S. leadership is crucial for achieving lasting peace.
Previously, Zelenskiy visited the White House in October to discuss U.S. support amid ongoing Russian threats. Trump had expressed optimism about finding a resolution to the conflict, suggesting that the groundwork for negotiation was in place.
Although there was talk of a possible meeting between Trump and Putin in Budapest, it didn’t occur as Trump postponed it, citing lack of progress. Nonetheless, Trump has advocated for a greater role for Erdoğan in negotiations and supported him during a visit to the White House last September.
Zelenskiy’s trip to Turkey was part of a broader European tour seeking further support in light of increasing Russian aggression. During a recent visit to France, he announced a long-term deal for around 100 Rafale fighter jets.
On the same day, NATO forces were busy safeguarding airspace as Russia launched a significant bombing campaign targeting western Ukraine, particularly Lviv and Ternopil. The Ukrainian government reported that nearly 500 drones and 47 cruise missiles were deployed, resulting in at least 20 casualties, including children.
