Erdogan Welcomes Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov In Ankara
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Ankara on Monday, coinciding with the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Erdogan Welcomes Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov In Ankara this high-level diplomatic engagement underscores Turkiye’s continuing efforts to maintain communication channels with both sides of the conflict.
Strategic Timing of Diplomatic Engagement
The meeting’s timing is particularly significant, occurring exactly three years after the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war. Lavrov’s visit to Turkiye included comprehensive discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan earlier in the day, covering not only the Ukraine situation but also bilateral relations, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and developments in Syria.
According to the Turkish presidency, Erdoğan and Lavrov held a closed-door meeting lasting approximately half an hour, though specific details of their discussion were not disclosed publicly.
Turkey’s Renewed Mediation Offer
President Erdoğan has reaffirmed Turkiye willingness to serve as a mediator in the ongoing conflict, explicitly offering to host peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. In a video address released Monday, Erdoğan mentioned he had already discussed this possibility with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the latter’s recent visit to Ankara.
This latest diplomatic initiative builds on Erdoğan’s previous statements describing Turkiye as the “ideal” location for potential peace talks. As a NATO member with established relationships with both Ukraine and Russia, Turkiye occupies a unique position that could potentially facilitate dialogue between the warring parties.
The meeting highlights Turkiye continued pursuit of an active diplomatic role in addressing major regional conflicts while maintaining its complex position between NATO alliance commitments and its strategic relationship with Russia.
For more updates, stay tuned to CurrentAffair.com.pk.