Erdogan’s Diplomatic Mission: Kyiv on the Agenda and Prospects for Peace in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
In the coming days, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is set to undertake a highly anticipated official visit to Kyiv, viewed by the Ukrainian leadership as a significant step forward in bilateral diplomatic relations.
According to Turkish media outlet Türkiye and diplomatic sources, the exact date of the visit has not yet been announced, but it is expected to happen soon.
The main objectives of the trip include bolstering economic cooperation, signing a free trade agreement, and discussing pathways toward achieving lasting peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
It has been confirmed that Erdoğan will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussing details of cooperation, including the implementation of a prisoner exchange deal—the result of negotiations held in Istanbul.
These negotiations lasted several days and concluded with an agreement to exchange 1,200 prisoners of war, representing a significant step in efforts to foster peace.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Erdoğan for his role in facilitating this process and called for further high-level meetings before the end of August.
Since the start of the conflict, Turkey has remained one of the few countries maintaining contacts with both sides of the conflict—Russia and Ukraine.
Past negotiations in Istanbul and Antalya contributed to some progress, notably the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which opened new avenues for Ukrainian grain exports worldwide.
Erdoğan also shows interest in strengthening economic ties and assisting Ukraine’s post-war recovery.
Reports indicate that during his visit, Erdoğan will focus heavily on concluding the long-overdue free trade agreement, which has been pending ratification for over 15 years.
This agreement holds the potential to significantly transform Ukraine’s economic landscape and deepen trade relations between the two nations.
Experts also analyze Ukraine’s readiness for such reforms and whether internal issues are delaying the agreement’s ratification, exploring claims of possible “betrayals” and “victories” in this process.
Amid geopolitical instability, Erdoğan’s diplomatic activity and personal role in the peace process remain critical factors that could shift regional dynamics.
The upcoming visit promises to mark a new phase in Ukraine–Turkey relations and could pave the way for enhanced cooperation in the post-war recovery period.