Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that progress toward resolving Russia’s war against Ukraine could occur within the next few months, TRT Haber reports.
He said that despite the current escalation on the front lines, outlines of a possible agreement have become clearer following the meeting between Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
As reported by Ukrainska Pravda, Fidan said the leaders’ meeting in Alaska gave the negotiation process a significant push.
“At that meeting very important issues were raised. The Russian side clearly and explicitly presented its conditions for a ceasefire to President Trump. Trump later discussed those with the president of Ukraine and European leaders. They talked about which issues might be advanced,” Fidan said.
The minister added that Turkey continues to hold parallel talks with all parties — Russia, Ukraine, the United States and the EU.
Fidan said the current intensification of fighting should not be seen as a failure of diplomacy, but rather as a typical military strategy by both sides ahead of possible negotiations.
“Both parties are raising the level of tension. The fighting has intensified. This is a signal to the other side. It means: if I must fight, I have the determination, the will and the capability to do so. That is the message both sides are sending,” he said.
The Turkish foreign minister noted that Ukraine, Europe and Russia are all strengthening their military efforts to avoid appearing weak and to improve their bargaining positions for future negotiations.
He pointed out that the main obstacle to peace remains the fate of the part of Donetsk that Russia has not yet captured.
“Now it is clear what the problem is. The Russians want to take it. The Ukrainians say: this area is vital for our territorial integrity. We cannot give it up without fighting. If we lose it, that opens the way to losing more. On the other hand the Russians say we will continue to fight no matter what. Once we capture this territory, we will move on. So, to avoid losing more land, just give it to us,” the minister said.
Fidan added that based on his talks with American and European partners, “progress could happen within a few months” on this issue.
He said he has “examined several alternative options that could bring the two sides closer,” but declined to provide details.
The minister also compared the situation in Ukraine to that in the Gaza Strip, calling the latter “a more urgent problem” because of “systematic extermination and deportation of the population.”
