Erdogan tells Putin Turkey ready to host Russia-Ukraine peace talks

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 May 2025 15:32

Erdogan tells Putin Turkey is ready to host direct talks in Istanbul as Ukraine demands a ceasefire and European powers push for urgent diplomatic action.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, on Oct. 23, 2024 (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

Turkey is ready to host renewed peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Sunday, according to a statement from Erdogan’s office.

The offer follows a televised statement by Putin earlier in the day, in which he proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15 aimed at ending the war.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky responded by saying Kiev was willing to talk, but only if Russia agreed to a ceasefire first.

Putin’s address from the Kremlin was broadcast just after 1:30 am local time on Sunday (2230 GMT Saturday).

Erdogan says conditions suitable for renewed diplomacy

During their phone call, Erdogan welcomed Putin’s proposal and reiterated Turkey’s readiness to host talks that could lead to a lasting peace agreement.

He emphasized that a comprehensive ceasefire was essential for creating the right environment for negotiations, according to a readout from his office.

Erdogan also spoke separately with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, calling the moment “a historic turning point” and urging all sides to seize the opportunity for diplomacy.

France and allies demand 30-day ceasefire from Russia

Putin’s announcement came just hours after key European powers, including France, met in Kiev to demand that Moscow accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire or face "massive" new sanctions.

In his call with Erdogan, Macron reiterated the urgency of an immediate ceasefire and stressed the necessity of Russia agreeing to such terms, according to a statement from the French presidency.

Turkey’s balanced diplomatic channels with Russia and Ukraine

A NATO member with open diplomatic channels to both Kiev and Moscow, Turkey has maintained a delicate balancing act since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.

On May 5, US President Donald Trump said he wanted to work with Erdogan to end the Ukraine war after the two leaders spoke by telephone.

Trump, who promised to end the war within 24 hours of starting his second term in January, has been pushing Kiev and Moscow to reach a ceasefire deal.

While supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and supplying it with military aid, Ankara has opposed Western sanctions on Russia.

Turkey previously hosted negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in March 2022. Talks at the time included draft agreements under which Ukraine would have renounced its NATO aspirations and accepted permanent neutrality and nuclear-free status in exchange for international security guarantees from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: the US, Russia, China, Britain, and France.