View: Could Türkiye mediate Russia-Ukraine peace talks?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated his offer to host Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Ankara, at his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks took place on the sidelines of the international Forum for Peace and Trust in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Friday (12 December).

Speaking to AnewZ, political analyst Bekir Ilhan discussed whether Türkiye is ready to mediate Russia-Ukraine peace talks, considering Ankara’s stance on key issues.

Ilhan noted that while Türkiye has not joined European sanctions against Russia, it has consistently rejected Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine and refused to recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea.

“Türkiye’s position is very clear on the Ukrainian war,” he said, describing Ankara’s stance as “unique in terms of geopolitics and principle issues”.

According to Ilhan, Türkiye’s strategic weight in the Black Sea region, combined with its NATO membership, places it in a different category from other potential mediators. He stressed that Ankara carries responsibilities both as a member of the alliance and as a regional power with its own security and economic interests.

“Russia trusts Türkiye and also Ukraine trusts Türkiye,” Ilhan said, adding that this dual trust has allowed Ankara to act as a credible intermediary.

He pointed to Türkiye’s past mediation efforts, including prisoner exchanges and the Istanbul peace talks held earlier in the war, as evidence of its ability to facilitate dialogue.

“You can set up peace talks without Türkiye, but you cannot sustain these peace talks without Türkiye,” Ilhan argued, warning that initiatives excluding Ankara would face reduced chances of success.

Post-ceasefire efforts

Ilhan also underlined Türkiye’s potential role beyond any ceasefire, noting its military and economic capacity. He said Ankara would likely play a significant part not only in negotiations but also in any post-conflict or post-ceasefire framework, should talks eventually materialise.

Despite repeated diplomatic signals from Ankara, Ilhan expressed scepticism about near-term progress, pointing to entrenched positions on both sides. He noted that Moscow has recently indicated it is not interested in a temporary ceasefire but rather in a broader peace agreement, while Kyiv and its Western allies continue to insist on the restoration of Ukrainian territorial integrity.

As the war grinds on, Ilhan expressed that, in his opinon, the prospects for a negotiated settlement remain distant.

“This war will end when one of the two involved parties is no longer in a position to continue fighting,” he said, adding that such a moment has yet to arrive.

At the presidential meeting, Erdoğan also highlighted the importance of securing a "just and lasting peace", according to a readout from the Turkish Communications Directorate.

The Turkish President suggested that progress could begin by concentrating on areas with practical, mutual benefits. In particular, he proposed that "implementing a limited ceasefire, primarily targeting energy facilities and ports, could be beneficial," presenting it as a confidence-building measure.

• Erdoğan and Putin meet in Turkmenistan to discuss regional security and bilateral ties
• Türkiye’s Erdoğan attends International Peace and Security Forum in Turkmenistan

Reportedly, the dialogue between Erdoğan and Putin also encompassed broader regional challenges, including the situations in Palestine and Syria and ongoing peace initiatives in the South Caucasus.

The meeting reinforced Türkiye’s role as an active diplomatic player and a central interlocutor in multiple conflict zones.

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News Politics Russia-Ukraine Conflict Vladimir Putin Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Mediation Ukraine peace talks Ukraine ceasefire Turkmenistan View video Meeting