Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said a breakthrough in efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine could be achieved within months, TRT Haber reported.
Fidan argued that despite recent battlefield escalation, the outlines of a possible agreement have become clearer after the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. He said the Alaska meeting gave important impetus to negotiations.
“At that meeting, very important issues were raised,” Fidan said, according to Ukrainska Pravda. “The Russian side presented its conditions for a ceasefire clearly and explicitly to Trump. Trump later discussed them with the Ukrainian president and European leaders. They spoke about which issues could move forward.”
Fidan added that Turkey continues to hold parallel talks with all relevant parties, including Russia, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union. He cautioned that intensified fighting does not necessarily mean diplomacy has failed; rather, both sides may raise military pressure as a signal ahead of negotiations.
“Both sides are increasing the level of tension. The fighting has intensified. That is a signal to the other side. It means: if I must fight, I have the will, determination and capability to do so. That is the message both sides are sending,” Fidan said.
When asked about the main obstacles to peace, Fidan pointed to the Donetsk area that Russia has not yet fully occupied as a key point of contention. He summarized the disagreement bluntly:
- Russia wants to capture that territory.
- Ukraine views it as essential to its territorial integrity and says it cannot cede it without fighting.
“Now it is clear what the problem is. The Russians want to occupy it. Ukrainians say: this area is vital for our territorial integrity. We cannot give it up without a fight. If we lose it, it will open the way to lose more,” Fidan explained.
Although he said he sees several alternative options that could bring the parties closer, Fidan did not provide details. He also drew a comparison between the Ukraine conflict and the crisis in the Gaza Strip, calling Gaza the more urgent humanitarian emergency because of systematic destruction and mass displacement.
Hakan Fidan believes diplomatic momentum — aided by recent high-level contacts — has clarified possible concessions and could yield noticeable progress toward a Russia–Ukraine settlement in the coming months. Turkey remains actively engaged in parallel diplomacy with all stakeholders.
