Turkey open to act as security guarantor in Ukraine peace agreement

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated during a press conference with his Russian counterpart on Monday that Turkey is willing to provide security guarantees to Ukraine as part of a final agreement with Russia to end the war.

Fidan said that, in principle, Turkey is prepared to take any measures that would contribute to peace, as the Russia-Ukraine war will mark its third anniversary this week. However, he added that Ankara needs to observe the progress of the talks before making a final commitment. He emphasized that President Erdogan will make the necessary decisions after the relevant technical preparations are completed, and that discussions and meetings are being closely monitored.

Fidan also revealed that Ankara supports a new peace initiative proposed by US President Trump, involving direct talks with the Russian leader. Ukraine was excluded from the first round of talks held in Riyadh last week. The Turkish Foreign Minister stated that Ankara considers the US initiative to have a "results-oriented" approach and believes that a solution can only be reached through negotiations involving both parties. He emphasized that Turkey is ready to provide all support for establishing peace through dialogue.

On the other hand, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Ukraine refused to sign a draft peace agreement in Istanbul in March 2022 under pressure from the UK and other Western allies. He added that the agreement also included security guarantees from members of the UN Security Council, Germany, and Turkey. Lavrov stated that the modalities were clearly defined in the agreement, and in fact, the Ukrainian side itself developed these guarantees, but the West prohibited this action. According to the draft peace treaty, Russia at the time did not agree to Turkey becoming a guarantor.

Despite concerns in European capitals about Trump's tough stance on Ukraine and its President Zelensky, Turkish officials believe that negotiations could eventually lead to serious discussions. Ankara has long advocated for direct talks involving all parties. Trump's remarks have prompted some European leaders to reconsider their relationship with Washington. Earlier this month, French President Macron convened a European summit to discuss the crisis, but Ankara was excluded. Since the start of the war, Turkey has maintained a delicate balance between the two sides, refusing to join international sanctions while allowing Russian tourists to visit the country. Bilateral trade has largely continued, although some financial transactions have faced difficulties due to Western sanctions.