Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan proposed the creation of a “peace platform” to end the war in Ukraine on July 6. Fidan stated that current efforts to end the war “need to be broadened,” as reported by the Turkish newspaper Haber7.
“There needs to be a peace platform that will prevent deepening polarization, ensure high participation and representation, and prioritize diplomacy,” Fidan said. He did not provide further details.
Turkey has long sought to take a leading role in peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. Earlier this week, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin that Turkey could help mediate to end the war.
Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, dismissed the idea, stating that Erdogan could not serve as a mediator without providing specific reasons.
Although Turkey is a NATO member, Erdogan has aimed to maintain positive relations with both Russia and Ukraine. Previously, he secured an agreement for the safe shipment of grain from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, which lasted for a year.
Ukraine has repeatedly stated that peace talks must be based on its 10-step peace formula, which includes a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Moscow has rejected this proposal.
Kyiv is preparing for a second peace summit and aims to create a detailed action plan that will address “all crises” caused by Russia’s full-scale war, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
