Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that the ultimate goal of the negotiations is a ceasefire that paves the way for peace.
This came in a speech at the tripartite meeting between Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine, held at Ciragan Palace in Istanbul as part of the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Fidan explained that they met in the third round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and emphasized that their goal is “to end the bloody and costly war as soon as possible.”
Fidan noted that Turkey has been making tireless efforts since day one to ensure the implementation of the peace process between Ukraine and Russia under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has carried the “torch of peace” in a region torn by conflict for years.
He stated that they achieved significant results in the first two rounds of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and expressed his satisfaction with the international community’s appreciation for the prisoner exchanges that achieved their humanitarian impact.
He added that they consider the exchange of memoranda reflecting the parties’ views on the ceasefire and peace during the second round of negotiations an important development.
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Fidan indicated that they hope that in the third round of negotiations, the parties will hold substantive, results-oriented consultations on the memoranda to which they have committed.
He stated that Turkey’s role as host is to provide a negotiating environment in which both countries feel safe, and emphasized that Turkey will continue to fulfill its role as a mediator to the fullest extent.
Fidan explained that Turkey is always ready to fulfill its responsibilities in moving the process forward based on the understandings reached by the parties.
He added, “We have the necessary infrastructure for a monitoring mechanism and can contribute to the implementation of prisoner exchanges based on a more organized methodology.”
Fidan continued, “The Istanbul negotiations provide us with an opportunity to prove to the world that diplomacy and dialogue are more effective than conflict and weapons in establishing peace.”
He expressed his hope that today’s negotiations will lead to positive results that will benefit the peoples of both countries. Earlier, the Turkish-Russian-Ukrainian tripartite meeting began in Istanbul.
The Russian delegation includes Vladimir Medinsky, advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin. On the Ukrainian side, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustam Umarov and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kyslytsya are attending.
Istanbul previously hosted two rounds of negotiations that resulted in agreements to release thousands of prisoners from both sides.
Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been launching a military offensive against its neighbor Ukraine, demanding that Kyiv abandon its membership in Western military entities as a condition for ending the offensive. Kyiv considers this to be “interference” in its internal affairs.
