Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said June 16 that Türkiye stands ready to act as a mediator in the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict and provide a venue for talks. Fidan is on a working visit to Russia June 15-17, at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, TASS reported June 16.
Fidan stressed, “In my opening remarks, I would like to address the topic of the conflict in Ukraine. I would like to reiterate that our country, Türkiye, is ready to do everything in its power, including playing a mediatory role: either acting as a mediator itself or providing a platform for mediation, to bring this war to an end.”
He stressed, “[T]his destabilization, this escalation can lead to the further spread of the war, so, we must spare no effort to end it.”
Türkiye was credited with playing a positive role in the U.S.-Iran ceasefire reached April 8. On June 15, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his “highly” supportive role in mediating the prospective peace agreement between the United States and Iran this past week. Speaking before the Pakistan National Assembly in Islamabad, Sharif said, “I especially thank my dear brother, President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for his highly supportive role and his support to our efforts.” Sharif also thanked the leaders of China, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
On June 16, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, after meeting with Fidan, stated, “We have conducted substantive, concrete, and productive negotiations. We have identified practical steps that must yet be taken to implement the fundamental agreements reached by our Presidents regarding the development of bilateral ties and the strengthening of coordination on regional and international matters.”
Lavrov added, “We conducted a constructive review of current global and regional issues, including the situation in the Black Sea region. We are concerned by the Kiev regime’s attempts to orchestrate provocations against vessels transporting grain to the Republic of Türkiye and against tankers, as well as by the persistent threats of terrorist attacks against the TurkStream and Blue Stream gas pipelines. We have agreed to collaborate closely on matters of security in the Black Sea region, the South Caucasus, the Middle East, and North Africa.”
He emphasized, “We are concerned by the problems that have arisen in the Middle East in connection with the Iran-Israel conflict. Its effects have already extended beyond the Strait of Hormuz. The issues of Lebanon and Palestine remain unresolved. The Israeli leadership has declared that a Palestinian state would not be established. Such a position constitutes a direct violation of United Nations resolutions. Russia and Türkiye cannot accept this. We will insist on the implementation of what has been repeatedly agreed.”
Foreign Minister Fidan will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan, Russia on June 17.
