“President Putin ready to meet President Donald Trump to resolve Ukraine crisis” – President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
[Ankara, June 26, 2025]
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced that if Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees, then U.S. President Donald Trump is prepared to visit Turkey for peace talks aimed at resolving the Ukraine crisis.
Erdoğan’s Proposal:
Returning from the NATO summit in The Hague, President Erdoğan told accompanying journalists,
“Our ultimate goal is to organize a summit of top leaders in Turkey and achieve the much-anticipated peace.”
“During my meeting with President Trump in The Hague, I informed him about this. He said that if Putin comes to Istanbul or Ankara for peace talks, he would also be interested in attending.”
Prospects for the Peace Summit:
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Erdoğan stated that Turkey has already initiated diplomatic communications.
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Istanbul and Ankara are being considered as possible venues for the meeting.
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This meeting would offer a rare opportunity for direct peace negotiations between the U.S. and Russia, with Turkey acting as a third-party mediator.
Context:
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The Ukraine war has entered its third year, and the conflict has become increasingly complex and severe in recent months.
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Previously, Turkey successfully mediated the Black Sea grain deal in 2022. This time, they aim to present the Trump-Putin meeting as a turning point in the Ukraine crisis.
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The proposal comes at a time when the European Union and NATO have struggled to achieve desired progress in peace efforts.
Expert Opinions:
“If Turkey’s initiative materializes, it will mark an important beginning in restoring Russia-U.S. relations. The Trump-Putin meeting will play a critical role in shaping the future course of the war.”
