Turkish president says Ukraine peace ‘not far off’ after Putin meeting, signals possible Trump talks

By Gizem Nisa Demir and Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said further diplomatic engagement could soon follow efforts led by Moscow and Washington, expressing optimism about the prospects for peace in Ukraine after holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking to reporters aboard his return flight from Turkmenistan on Friday, Erdogan said Ankara hopes to also engage with US President Donald Trump to assess a potential peace plan.

“After this meeting with Putin, we hope to have the opportunity to also discuss the peace plan with US President Trump. Peace is not far off; we can see it,” Erdogan said, referring to his bilateral meeting with the Russian leader in Turkmenistan on Saturday.

Erdogan noted that his meeting with Putin focused on ongoing conflicts and diplomatic initiatives launched with Trump’s involvement.

“We evaluated the contributions our country can make to peace efforts," he said, noting, "We view positively the dialogue initiated through the efforts of Mr. Trump.”

He stressed that Ankara's position is clearly understood by all parties involved in the Ukraine peace process. “We mainly talked about the war and peace efforts. Mr. Putin, like all other actors, knows very well where Türkiye stands on this issue,” Erdogan added.

Addressing regional security, Erdogan warned against turning the Black Sea into a zone of confrontation. “The Black Sea should not be seen as an arena of rivalry. This would not benefit Russia or Ukraine. Everyone needs freedom of navigation and security in the Black Sea,” he said.

On Syria, Erdogan highlighted the importance of the March 10 agreement, calling it critical for the country’s future.

“The March 10 agreement is a process that closely concerns the future of the region. Achieving the goals envisaged by the agreement will be the most beneficial outcome for Syria,” he said, adding that Türkiye seeks prosperity for all Syrians regardless of ethnicity or sect.

Turning to Gaza, Erdogan said Israel must fully comply with its commitments. “It is essential that Israel fulfill its promises, fully comply with the ceasefire, and allow life in Gaza to return to normal,” he said, adding: “The security problem created by Israel must be eliminated. Türkiye never shirks serious responsibilities.”

Erdogan also addressed Türkiye’s EU accession bid, urging the bloc to adopt a strategic approach. “It would also be a gain for Europe to look at our relations with a strategic vision. The steps that come from Europe will shape the next phase of the process,” he said.

President Erdogan was in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat to attend the International Peace and Trust Forum.