Turkey Offers to Mediate Peace Talks Between Ukraine and Russia
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that his country is prepared to act as a mediator in negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
This information was confirmed by the Turkish president's administration following a phone conversation with French leader Emmanuel Macron.
Turkey is ready to mediate negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation
Erdogan stated that the war between Russia and Ukraine has reached a «historic turning point» that must be seized.
«Turkey is ready to do everything possible, including organizing negotiations, to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace,» the statement said.
After speaking with Macron, Erdogan also talked to Putin.
«The president noted that a window of opportunity for achieving peace has opened, and that a comprehensive ceasefire would create the necessary conditions for peace talks,» the administration reported after the conversation with Putin.
Direct negotiations on a ceasefire: positions of the parties
During the meeting of the «Coalition of Willing» in Kyiv, Ukraine, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland supported a 30-day ceasefire without any conditions. This initiative was also agreed upon with the United States.
The parties called on Russia for a truce starting Monday, May 12.
Subsequently, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul, without mentioning the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded that Ukraine is willing to meet with Russian representatives on the condition of silence starting May 12.
Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that negotiations must take place first, and only then can a ceasefire be discussed.
