Türkiye backs Ukrainian condition for peace
A “fair” settlement of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev can be only based on respecting the ‘territorial integrity” of Ukraine, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said.
The minister made the remarks in an interview with newspaper Hurriyet that was published on Sunday. Türkiye enjoys a “special relationship” with each side in the conflict and is ready to listen to both Moscow and Kiev, Fidan stated, noting that as a “friend,” Ankara must speak “frankly” to them.
“A fair resolution for the war must be based upon Ukraine’s territorial integrity,” he said.
Ankara has long backed Kiev in its insistence on regaining control of the entirety of its internationally recognized territory, including Crimea, which broke away from Ukraine and joined Russia via a referendum in the aftermath of the 2014 Maidan coup in Kiev.
The position sharply contrasts with Russia’s stance, that country’s leadership repeatedly stating any sort of potential settlement to the conflict must recognise the realities on the ground. Moscow also says that its sovereignty over Crimea, as well as formerly-Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye, as well as Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, was not debatable. The latter four regions were incorporated into Russia in late 2022 after separate referendums were held in the respective territories.
Türkiye has long strived to become a mediator in the hostilities between Moscow and Kiev. It hosted the ultimately botched talks in Istanbul early into the conflict, and repeatedly showed readiness to act as a mediator in any potential negotiations in the future.
Moscow, however, has suggested that Ankara had already forfeited its position as a potential mediator.
Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Hurriyet he found Ankara’s approach “perplexing,” citing the continuous flow of weaponry from Türkiye to Ukraine.
“Regrettably, Ankara continues its military-technical cooperation with the Kiev regime. Turkish weapons are being used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to kill Russian soldiers and civilians,” Lavrov said. It was also unlikely that “any country, including Türkiye, will succeed in mediation efforts” given that Kiev and its backers have shown no willingness to negotiate, the top diplomat added.
