Türkiye’s mediation on Ukraine remains in demand – Putin

The Russian leader has thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for hosting direct talks between Moscow and Kiev

Türkiye’s mediation in the Ukraine conflict continues to be valued, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. Putin thanked Ankara for hosting several rounds of direct peace talks between Moscow and Kiev.

The three rounds held in Istanbul this year have “produced progress in resolving several humanitarian issues,” Putin said, adding that Türkiye’s role “will remain in demand in the future.”

In May, Kiev agreed to resume direct talks with Moscow, a process it abandoned in 2022, after the administration of US President Donald Trump encouraged renewed negotiations. The discussions have since resulted in prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of soldiers’ remains.

”We consider Türkiye a reliable, time-tested partner both in bilateral affairs and on the international arena,” Putin said.

He also pointed to mutual investments, Russia’s position as Türkiye’s main natural gas supplier, and the ongoing construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s first, which benefits from Russian technological expertise. Millions of Russian tourists also visit Türkiye each year, enjoying the country’s hospitality, Putin noted.

On foreign policy, he said Russian-Turkish coordination remains “well-tuned” and marked by the “useful and... trusted” nature of cooperation.

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