Türkiye ready to broker lasting peace in Ukraine-Russia conflict: Erdogan

Türkiye is ready to take all necessary steps, including mediation, to achieve a just and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The closed-door talks took place at the Turkish House on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Türkiye’s commitment to facilitating peace

The leaders discussed bilateral relations, the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, peace efforts, and broader regional and global issues. Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to facilitating peace, stating that the conflict could be resolved through dialogue while ensuring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

According to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, Erdogan emphasized, “We have believed from the beginning that the Russia-Ukraine war can be ended through dialogue while preserving Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

Türkiye ready to broker lasting peace in Ukraine-Russia conflict: Erdogan — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York, US. (via Türkiye Directorate of Communications)

Mediation and grain initiative revival

Erdogan also highlighted Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to revive the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which initially facilitated Ukrainian grain exports through a UN-backed deal but was halted in July 2023 due to Russia’s withdrawal.

“Efforts will continue to ensure a cease-fire that can pave the way for peace between Kiev and Moscow,” Erdogan said.

Türkiye has played a key role in past mediation efforts, hosting a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers in Antalya in March 2022. Those diplomatic endeavors led to the landmark Black Sea grain deal in 2022, which allowed vital grain exports from Ukraine, helping alleviate the global food crisis.