Türkiye is stepping up as a key player in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, NATO chief Mark Rutte, and senior Turkish officials all emphasized Ankara’s key role in promoting lasting peace.

Türkiye is moving to the center of efforts to mediate a peace agreement in the Russia-Ukraine war. In a call requested by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reviewed the latest peace track and agreed to keep close coordination with NATO on next steps, underscoring Ankara’s advantage as “one of NATO’s most important members.” 

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said Türkiye will “fully support” initiatives aimed at 'lasting peace', after representing Erdoğan at a virtual meeting called 'coalition of the willing.'

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has made major phone calls, speaking with France’s Jean-Noël Barrot to assess outcomes from the recent Alaska and Washington meetings, and with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on possible steps to end the war. Those talks focused on security guarantees for Ukraine and how any settlement would be implemented. 

Washington signals momentum as Kyiv and Moscow seem to be willing to meet. Core issues include security guarantees and territorial control. 

From Ankara’s view, Türkiye offers two key assets: proven power—from Black Sea grain talks to Istanbul rounds—and regional security expertise in the Black Sea, highlighted by Erdoğan and Rutte. Turkish officials also show openness to supporting monitoring or verification measures for cease-fires or post-war deals, part of broader talks about European reassurance forces and guarantees for Ukraine.

Diplomats say work continues this week on parameters for potential direct talks and guarantees acceptable to Kyiv, while Ankara stays connected with NATO, Washington, Paris, and Brussels. Fidan expressed Türkiye's readiness to support a fair deal, and officials believe a meeting could mark “a new phase” for diplomacy.

Türkiye intends to turn its relationships between Russia & Ukraine, and across the Alliance, into unity for peace.

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