In a bold diplomatic move aimed at ending the nearly three-year-long conflict in Ukraine, Turkey has offered to host a trilateral summit involving U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The announcement, made by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a visit to Kyiv, marks Ankara’s renewed push to broker peace and underscores its unique position as a NATO ally with strong ties to both Moscow and Kyiv.
The proposed summit would mark the first direct face-to-face meeting between all three leaders under the mediation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following earlier diplomatic attempts that failed to yield a breakthrough.
Turkey Steps Up Mediation Efforts
Speaking in Kyiv on Thursday, Foreign Minister Fidan said Turkey is committed to reviving stalled diplomatic efforts and believes the time is right to move toward a sustainable peace agreement. He underscored the urgency of halting the war, which has cost tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and disrupted global food and energy markets.
“We sincerely think that it is possible to cap the first and second direct Istanbul talks with a meeting between Mr. Trump, Mr. Putin, and Mr. Zelensky, under the direction of Mr. Erdoğan,” Fidan stated. “We can either close our eyes to the continuation of this war or reach a durable peace before the end of the year.”
Fidan emphasized that hopes for a ceasefire have grown significantly in recent months due to increasing fatigue from prolonged hostilities and mounting pressure from the international community.
“Expectations for peace have increased,” he said. “Progress can certainly be made as long as we remain at the negotiating table.”
Erdoğan’s Balancing Act Between NATO and Russia
Turkey, a key NATO member with a strategic geographical position and growing global influence, has taken on the role of a neutral mediator since the early days of the Ukraine crisis. Despite supplying drones to Ukraine’s military, Ankara has maintained economic ties with Moscow and has resisted joining Western-led sanctions against Russia.
President Erdoğan has repeatedly stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomatic engagement as the only viable path to peace. His government hosted early rounds of peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul in 2022, but those negotiations collapsed due to deep divisions over territorial sovereignty and security guarantees.
While those talks failed to produce a lasting agreement, Turkish officials believe the evolving geopolitical landscape and war fatigue have opened a narrow window for progress.
Fidan’s Kyiv visit follows recent talks in Moscow, where he met with senior Russian officials to gauge their interest in re-engaging in negotiations. Although no concrete commitments were made publicly, Turkish officials suggest there is cautious optimism on all sides.
Trump’s Growing Frustration with Moscow
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has taken a more assertive stance on foreign policy during his current term, has reportedly expressed growing dissatisfaction with Russia’s approach to negotiations.
According to U.S. diplomatic sources, Trump is becoming increasingly skeptical of President Putin’s willingness to negotiate in good faith, particularly after the earlier failed peace initiatives.
A senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously, said:
“The President wants to see results. He believes the time has come for Russia to show that it’s serious about ending the war. Continued delays are unacceptable.”
The Biden administration had previously led efforts to support Ukraine with military aid and sanctions on Russia, but Trump’s foreign policy has shifted toward encouraging resolution through direct dialogue, even if it means bypassing traditional multilateral forums.
If the Istanbul summit materializes, it would mark a significant turning point in the conflict, bringing together the key players in an unprecedented attempt to chart a diplomatic path out of war.
Ukraine Weighs the Risks and Rewards
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not yet confirmed whether he will attend the proposed summit but is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Fidan to discuss the terms of the invitation. Kyiv remains cautious, wary of being pressured into concessions without security guarantees.
Nonetheless, Zelensky has previously expressed support for international mediation efforts, particularly those involving neutral or semi-neutral states like Turkey. He has repeatedly insisted that Ukraine will not agree to any peace deal that compromises its sovereignty or territorial integrity.
In a recent statement, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to peace but stressed it must be just and sustainable:
“Ukraine seeks peace, but not at any price. Any agreement must respect our sovereignty, restore our borders, and ensure the safety of our citizens.”
What’s at Stake
The ongoing war has devastated Ukraine’s economy, strained global supply chains, and contributed to regional instability. Energy prices and food exports have been particularly affected, with ripple effects across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Analysts say a successful summit in Istanbul could help de-escalate tensions, unlock humanitarian aid corridors, and pave the way for broader international reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.
Dr. Ayla Demir, a political analyst at the Istanbul Policy Center, noted:
“Turkey’s initiative is bold, and it reflects Erdoğan’s ambition to play a central role on the world stage. But the summit will only succeed if all parties come to the table with genuine political will and a readiness to compromise.”
A Fragile Hope for Peace
While many obstacles remain, Turkey’s proposed summit has injected fresh momentum into global efforts to end one of the most dangerous conflicts in recent memory. For now, all eyes are on Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv to see whether the leaders will accept Ankara’s invitation and take a critical step toward peace.
Whether the Istanbul summit becomes a reality remains to be seen, but one message is clear: the world is growing weary of war, and the calls for peace—loud and growing—can no longer be ignored.
