Türkiye offers to mediate Russia-Ukraine war: Russian Consul General
Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Istanbul Andrey Buravov speaks to press on the 10th anniversary of the Maidan Revolution on February 19, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkiye. ( Murat Şengül - Anadolu Agency )
Türkiye is among several countries offering to mediate in the Ukraine conflict, Russian Consul General in Istanbul Andrey Buravov told TASS.
Türkiye’s mediation efforts in Ukraine crisis
Buravov noted that Türkiye has consistently expressed its opposition to unilateral sanctions as a means of resolving geopolitical conflicts.
“Several countries have offered their mediation services to facilitate negotiations on resolving the situation in Ukraine. Among them, Türkiye has periodically made statements emphasizing its opposition to unilateral sanctions as a means of addressing existing issues,” he stated.
When asked about the possibility of reviving peace talks in an “Istanbul 2.0” format, Buravov referred to recent statements by Russian officials. He noted that agreements reached during spring 2022 negotiations in Istanbul remained unimplemented due to alleged Western sabotage.
“From the Russian side, it has been confirmed that we have never avoided negotiations and are always ready to engage in talks aimed at achieving a lasting resolution that addresses the root causes of the conflict, takes Russia’s legitimate interests into account, and reflects the realities on the ground,” he added.
Ankara’s stance on Ukraine conflict
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently stated that the conflict in Ukraine is approaching a turning point and reiterated Ankara’s readiness to support diplomatic efforts for its resolution.
Türkiye has previously facilitated talks, including those held in Istanbul in March 2022, and has indicated a willingness to mediate again.
Impact of sanctions on Türkiye-Russia relations
Buravov also addressed the impact of Western sanctions on Russian-Turkish trade, highlighting that the restrictions imposed by Western countries have affected bilateral economic ties.
“Türkiye, guided by its national interests, initially declared its refusal to join the ever-expanding illegal unilateral sanctions against our country. This policy received a positive assessment from the Russian side and contributed significantly, especially in the early stages, to the growth of bilateral trade,” he stated.
While bilateral trade between Russia and Türkiye doubled in 2022, reaching $68 billion, it has since declined. In 2024, trade volume fell by 7.6% compared to 2023, when it stood at $55.4 billion.
Russian exports to Türkiye in 2023 amounted to $42.8 billion, down from $43.9 billion in 2022.
Buravov pointed out that Western pressure on companies engaging with Russia has disrupted cross-border payments, necessitating joint countermeasures between Moscow and Ankara to mitigate the impact of financial restrictions.
