Turkey speeds up diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire in Ukraine

Turkey speeds up in its diplomatic efforts to ensure a ceasefire in Ukraine. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 6 as talks with the United States and the United Kingdom continue at the presidential level.

Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın announced on March 5 that Erdogan would continue his diplomatic contacts on March 6 as he is scheduled to talk to EU President, the Canadian President and Russian President.

“Turkey is ready to do its part for an emergency ceasefire,” Kalin said to journalists in Ankara.

“We continue our calls to all parties, especially the Russian side, to stop these attacks and to come to the negotiation table. The Russian side needs to give the negotiating table a chance. Whatever message they wanted to convey was given. No more damage should be done. They have to let the positive result come out at the table,” he added.

Erdogan continues diplomatic contacts for ceasefire

As Russia entered the 10th day of its offensive in Ukraine, the two sides met twice. As a result of the negotiations, an agreement was reached to declare a ceasefire in two cities to establish a humanitarian corridor enabling evacuation.

Ankara continues its diplomatic contacts for a permanent ceasefire as President Erdoğan had already met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on the phone on March 4.

Zelensky made a statement on his Twitter account, stating: “We are grateful to Turkey for the consistent support. Informed about the ongoing aggression and nuclear terrorism on the part of the Russian Federation. We must achieve an end to hostilities.”

Talks with the US and UK

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman visited Turkey and held a meeting with Presidential Spokesperson Kalın on March 4 at the Dolmabahçe Office İstanbul.

According to the statement made by the Presidency Spokesperson during the meeting, “it was agreed to increase the joint efforts for the negotiations between the parties to yield results.” It was stated that “Turkey is in constant contact with the parties and is ready to host negotiations.”

On the same day, Erdogan talked with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. According to the statement made by the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, Erdogan stated that “Ankara continues its efforts for an immediate ceasefire and an immediate end to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.”

Positive response to Çavuşoğlu’s invitation for a meeting

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu had stated at the press conference he held at the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting on March 4, that Ankara is trying to bring together the officials of the two countries “at least at the ministerial level”. He invited the Russian and Ukrainian authorities to Antalya Diplomatic Forum (ADF) to be held in Antalya next week.

“We were planning to bring both Foreign Ministers together in Antalya, even before the offensive started,” Çavuşoğlu said.

“I don’t know if the Ukrainians can come in this war environment. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also confirmed that he would come to Antalya. We hope to bring both sides together at the ministerial level,” he added.

According to Anadolu Agency, former Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations Geneva Office, Gennady Gatilov, made a statement in Geneva by supporting Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dimitro Kuleba’s meeting at the ADF. “(Minister’s meeting) is a good thing. Any negotiation and meeting is a good thing,” he said.