Yuri Kobzar15:23, 12.05.25

The Turks are ready not only to provide a negotiating platform, but also to act as mediators in the negotiations.

Turkey is ready to mediate in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia and hopes that the parties will gather at the same table in the near future, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a press conference in Ankara.

“I think that in the coming days the parties will reach a compromise and come together. Now there is a problem that needs to be resolved, namely, as you know, the Ukrainians first demand a ceasefire and then the start of negotiations. The Russians first want negotiations and then a ceasefire. And currently the situation is at a standstill,” he said.

Fidan stressed that Turkey is ready to act both as a host for negotiations and as an active mediator.

“We call on the parties to come together as soon as possible and agree on a ceasefire, despite the circumstances. We hope that this will happen, and our work is underway in this direction. … The situation is difficult, but it is developing in a positive direction,” the head of Turkish diplomacy said.

An ultimatum for a ceasefire and an offer of negotiations

As UNIAN reported, last Saturday, Ukraine and Europe issued a statement announcing the unilateral start of a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. If Russia does not agree to this and continues to attack, additional sanctions will be applied against it. 

Responding to this ultimatum, Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Turkey, but did not give a clear answer regarding a 30-day ceasefire.

By some estimates, this was a deliberate manipulation to evade a ceasefire, offering the appearance of progress but without any real steps towards ending the war. 

However, the Ukrainian president seized the initiative, emphasizing that he would personally wait for Putin in Turkey on Thursday . At the same time, the ultimatum regarding a 30-day ceasefire was also left in force .

(C)UNIAN 2025