On May 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held an important phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
The main topic of discussion was preparations for the upcoming meeting with representatives of the Russian Federation, which is scheduled to take place later this Thursday in the Turkish capital. The efforts of both parties are aimed at finding a way to end the prolonged and destructive war that has been ongoing for over a year through diplomatic means and dialogue. According to a statement released by Zelensky on Telegram, the Ukrainian leader emphasized the importance of this meeting and expressed gratitude for Erdoğan’s support. "We discussed key details of the upcoming meeting in Turkey, which could be a real step toward de-escalating the conflict. We share the conviction that diplomacy is the only way to establish peace. I highly appreciate the readiness of the Turkish leadership to facilitate these processes at the highest level," Zelensky stated. A particularly important topic of the conversation was the need to ensure systematic monitoring and control over the observance of the ceasefire regime. The Ukrainian president underscored that international partners should act as guarantors of stability and oversee the implementation of agreements. Zelensky and Erdoğan agreed to work together to create conditions for a moderate reduction in tension and to give real momentum to the peace process. Additional information from the Turkish presidential communication directorate highlighted that Erdoğan stressed "the extraordinary importance" of resuming negotiations between Ukraine and Russia during the conversation. The Turkish leader emphasized the necessity of implementing a comprehensive and long-term ceasefire. He warned that "we must not lose the opportunity" that may arise through this diplomatic initiative and expressed openness to further efforts to preserve the possibility of dialogue. What preceded this important conversation? At the end of April, Vladimir Putin, addressing the global community, did not provide a clear answer to the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Instead, he emphasized readiness for direct negotiations with Kyiv in Istanbul, scheduled for May 15. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump, in his remarks, refused to recognize Russia’s refusal to agree to the 30-day ceasefire and instead called on Ukraine to "immediately" agree to direct dialogue with the Russian Federation in Istanbul. Zelensky, in turn, expressed his readiness to personally participate in these negotiations and highlighted that he would be present in Istanbul on May 15 to facilitate reaching agreements. Additionally, the Ukrainian president stressed that it is very important for his country that U.S. leader Trump also come to this meeting and support Ukrainian diplomatic efforts. Trump, for his part, announced that after coordinating with his administration on the potential visit, he is prepared to go to Istanbul to participate in the negotiations and considers them promising and potentially productive. This interaction among high-ranking officials demonstrates how complex and simultaneously critical the process of finding a compromise in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia remains. Both sides are striving to create conditions for negotiations that will not only cease fire but also ensure a long-term resolution of the conflict, anchored at the political level. In this context, Turkey’s role as an intermediary and guarantor is becoming especially significant, as it provides a platform and the capabilities to facilitate a diplomatic resolution to a conflict that costs many Ukrainians dearly and impacts the entire world.