Russia says Türkiye cannot be a mediator with Ukraine

According to RIA Novosti, the press secretary of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, said on July 3 that the topic of Ukraine was discussed at the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but the Turkish leader could not become a mediator in the negotiations between Moscow and Kiev.

“No, it is impossible,” Peskov said in an interview with Channel One, answering a question about whether President Erdogan could become a mediator in the negotiations on Ukraine.

The Kremlin spokesman said the topic of Ukraine was discussed at talks between the Russian and Turkish leaders on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in February 2024 that Ankara is ready to act as a mediator for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

As the Russia-Ukraine conflict enters its third year, Mr Erdogan asserted, diplomacy and dialogue will provide the opportunity for a “fair and lasting solution”. To achieve this goal, the use of diplomatic channels at the highest level is crucial.

Türkiye played a key role in brokering a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, and hosted a round of talks between Moscow and Kiev in the spring of 2022. Russia said the sides were close to signing an agreement, but the talks later broke down.