German Chancellor Merz thanks Turkish President Erdogan for his diplomatic efforts for Russia-Ukraine peace

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday praised Türkiye's diplomatic efforts for a potential ceasefire and peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

Speaking at a news conference after the NATO summit in The Hague, Merz said he held a lengthy bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the summit to discuss the Ukraine conflict and other international issues.

“I thanked him for Türkiye's willingness to take on a mediating role, including making Istanbul or Ankara available as venues for such a meeting,” Merz said.

“I also asked President Erdogan to exert influence on Russia and the Russian president to come to the negotiating table so that, after these terrible three and a half years of war in Ukraine and the bloodshed there, a peace solution could finally be reached.”