Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Tuesday that Turkey is ready to host future negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, expressing hope that such talks will lead to a swift ceasefire and lasting peace. During a joint news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Fidan emphasized Turkey's commitment to facilitating discussions, stating, “We see this as a duty, not just for our region, but for global peace.”
Fidan conveyed Turkey's request for the upcoming negotiations to be held in Turkey, assuring that the country is prepared to contribute in every possible way. He is currently on a two-day visit to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
Earlier this month, representatives from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for the first time since 2022, but the discussions revealed significant divides on key conditions for peace. Ukraine, backed by its Western allies, insists on a temporary ceasefire as a prerequisite for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
European leaders have criticized Putin for appearing to stall peace efforts while pressing forward with military initiatives to expand Russian territory in Ukraine. In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of undermining peace negotiations through a series of drone attacks on Russian territory, stating that these actions contradict the aspirations for peace.
Peskov praised U.S. peace efforts, asserting that the U.S. and Trump have maintained a balanced approach, while acknowledging that certain disagreements will persist. He also criticized European nations for continuing to supply arms to Ukraine, claiming that such actions indirectly involve Europe in the war against Russia and do not aid in achieving a peaceful settlement.
Meanwhile, President Trump expressed frustration with the situation, warning Putin on his Truth Social platform that he is “playing with fire” amid ongoing attacks and stalled peace talks. Trump's comments came after he labeled Putin "CRAZY" following a large Russian airstrike on Kyiv.
U.S. media reports suggest that the Trump administration may be considering new sanctions against Russia in the near future, although this has not been confirmed by Trump or White House officials. Trump has indicated that the U.S. may abandon peace efforts if negotiations between the warring sides do not produce positive results soon.
