Russia and Ukraine were close to agreeing peace terms during the Istanbul talks in the spring of 2022, but “some countries” did not want those efforts to succeed, Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus has said.
In an interview with Haberturk broadcaster on Wednesday, Kurtulmus said both Moscow and Kiev appreciate Ankara’s efforts to mediate in the conflict, adding that his country remains a unique actor in this capacity.
He confirmed numerous media reports and statements by top Russian officials that the two sides were close to ending hostilities. “We have almost reached the final point to ensure a just and reasonable peace that both sides can accept… the matter had almost reached the point of a signature,” he said.
However, Kurtulmus regretted that “some countries did not want the war to end,” singling out the US in particular. He claimed that Washington was “trying to consolidate the European continent through the war in Ukraine, wants to keep Russia busy with a serious problem, and also sees regional turbulence as important in terms of the balance of power there.”
To achieve peace, he added, Ukraine and Russia first “need to clearly state their own political intentions” for the conflict to end as soon as possible.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that, during the Istanbul talks, Moscow and Kiev were on the verge of signing a peace deal under which Ukraine would have committed to “permanent neutrality” – meaning that it would have abandoned ambitions to join NATO. It would also downsize its military and provide certain security guarantees.
Moscow has insisted that the talks were scuppered by then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who allegedly advised Kiev to “keep fighting.” Johnson has denied the claim, but David Arakhamia, the head of the Ukrainian delegation, has acknowledged that he played an influential role.
In early July, Putin signaled that the tentative Istanbul agreement could still serve as a springboard for future talks with Kiev. However, after Ukraine’s large-scale incursion in Kursk Region earlier this month, Moscow ruled out any engagement with Kiev as long as it continues to attack civilians.