Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said today that a turning point has arrived for the diplomatic resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, expressing his hopes for a truce between the two countries, TRT Haber reported, BTA reported.
Fidan said this during a meeting of foreign ministers of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) within the framework of an informal OTS summit, which is being held today in Budapest. Earlier today, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also arrived in the Hungarian capital for the meeting.
“We are currently at a turning point for the diplomatic resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine“, Fidan said during the meeting, emphasizing Turkey's essential role in this process. In his speech, Fidan also expressed hope for the establishment of peace in Ukraine, stating that “Turkey's intensive diplomatic efforts, thanks to which delegations from Ukraine and Russia met in Istanbul, opened the door to a new stage in the peace negotiations“.
Fidan also noted that “there is currently a historic opportunity to stabilize Syria“, emphasizing that the support of the OCT countries is of utmost importance for this process.
Regarding the events in the Middle East, the Turkish Foreign Minister also stated that “Israel does not want to achieve lasting peace“. He stressed that “Israel's expansion into the Gaza Strip shows once again that Israel will not change its attitude“.
During his speech, Fidan also noted that the OTD's position on the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip could have an impact on the international community.