Erdogan offers mediation in 28-month-old Ukraine-Russia conflict

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan proposed mediating to end the Ukraine-Russia war during a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan.

Erdogan expressed his belief in achieving a fair peace that would satisfy both parties involved, according to the Turkish presidency.

However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the idea, stating that Erdogan could not serve as an intermediary in the ongoing 28-month-old conflict. “No, it’s not possible,” Peskov told a Russian television interviewer, as reported by the Russian Tass news agency. The report did not elaborate on the Kremlin’s reasons for rejecting Erdogan’s potential role.

In addition to discussing the Ukraine-Russia war, the two leaders also talked about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and potential solutions for ending the war in Syria, the Turkish presidency noted.

Türkiye, a NATO member, has maintained a unique stance compared to other NATO leaders by refraining from imposing sanctions on Putin’s government. Instead, Erdogan has sought to maintain positive relations with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the conflict.

Notably, Türkiye played a crucial role in facilitating an agreement to ensure the safe shipment of grain from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. This accord was effective for a year, highlighting Ankara’s efforts to mediate and support stability in the region.