ANKARA, February 26. /TASS/. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed that his country is ready to mediate a peace deal on Ukraine, and can play host for talks between Russia and Ukraine.
"We have always supported the principles of a settlement involving both sides to achieve peace. Our point of view has not changed. Turkey is ready to provide any support to the peace efforts, including negotiations between the parties," he told a news conference.
"At the current stage of contacts between various countries on Ukraine, it is clear that everyone agrees on the need for a ceasefire. Of course, it is crucial that this is accepted by the parties to the conflict. We continue to work on what contribution Turkey can make to the settlement, to the implementation and maintenance of the ceasefire."
According to him, "Turkey has significant potential" to contribute to the settlement of the Ukraine conflict, and "continues contacts with various parties."
"Turkey is a powerful and important country in this region, and it will definitely play an important role in establishing and ensuring peace and maintaining the ceasefire," the minister said.
However, Fidan pointed out that over the past three years, Turkey has already held numerous talks, conducted research, and put forward several tactical and strategic initiatives to halt the war as soon as possible, but no significant progress has been made.
"With the new US administration in place, we are witnessing a shift in dynamics. An indirect negotiation process is underway, involving all key stakeholders. The Americans are talking to the Russians, the Ukrainians are in contact with the Europeans, the Russians are speaking with us, the Ukrainians are reaching out to us, and the Europeans are engaging with the Americans. Right now, there is a flurry of diplomatic activity," Fidan said.
He added that negotiators are facing a series of complex issues, including the terms of a ceasefire, the framework for a peace agreement, and mechanisms for maintaining peace and providing guarantees.
Fidan drew attention to the intense diplomatic traffic around Ukraine. He recalled that "over the past week, I have met twice with [Russian Foreign Minister Sergey] Lavrov: once in South Africa and once in Ankara."
He also held meetings with the Ukrainian side, the US secretary of state, and European officials.