Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed moderate optimism about the possibility of reaching a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing that the key condition for success is continuous dialogue between the two countries. He made his statement in Brussels, where he participated in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, BTA reports.
According to him, the most important thing in the negotiation process is for the parties to stay at the table, regardless of the difficulties. Fidan indicated that from his long-standing practice as a mediator, he is convinced that even with a strong divergence in positions, if there is a willingness to talk, there is always a possibility of compromise.
According to him, US President Donald Trump's special envoy - Steve Witkoff, will play a key role in bringing the positions between Moscow and Kiev closer. Fidan noted that in addition to territorial issues and Russia's strategic goals, the negotiations also directly affect the security of Europe. He stressed that the future peace agreement would not simply mean an end to the war, but would lay the foundations for a new security system on the continent.
The Turkish Foreign Minister also pointed out that each country is currently seeking maximum guarantees for its own security, since any possible peace will have long-term consequences for future political and geostrategic processes. According to him, the current discussions show that the participants are making complex geopolitical calculations about the risks and benefits after the end of the conflict.
Fidan confirmed that Turkey has once again expressed its readiness to host direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. According to him, Moscow has a positive attitude towards such an opportunity, and Ankara expects a similar position from Kiev. He stressed that after reaching a framework agreement, face-to-face meetings are necessary to clear up the details, and Turkey is the most appropriate place for this, having already proven itself as a reliable mediator in previous rounds of talks in Istanbul.
The Foreign Minister also commented on his meetings with his Bulgarian and Romanian counterparts regarding security in the Black Sea. He stressed the importance of the joint NATO mine action group between the three countries and pointed out that the recent attacks on merchant ships have confirmed Ankara's concerns about the expansion of the geography and means of war.
Fidan emphasized that security in the Black Sea is of crucial importance not only for trade, but also for underwater infrastructure, energy and fishing. He reminded that while Turkey has access to several seas, for Bulgaria and Romania the Black Sea is the only maritime corridor, which makes the risks for them even more serious.