Former Turkish foreign policy voices are urging Ankara to take a more proactive role in bridging discussions between Moscow and Kyiv. In recent remarks, a former Turkish foreign minister urged the Turkish government to step forward and help arrange a high-level meeting between the Russian president Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky. The central message was clear: dialogue must be continuous and aimed at a durable ceasefire, with Turkey positioned as a facilitator who can bring key parties to the table when momentum matters most. The idea is not merely to talk, but to create practical channels that keep the political process alive, even when tensions rise on the battlefield. The public statement underscores the belief that persistent conversation is essential to preventing renewed outbreaks of violence and to laying the groundwork for a lasting settlement. The sentiment from this line of thought is that robust diplomatic engagement can prevent missteps that could derail negotiations and prolong suffering in both nations. The emphasis is on a permanent path to ceasefire rather than episodic, stalled talks that fail to address the underlying concerns of the two states. In this context, Turkey’s potential role as a mediator is framed as having both legitimacy and capability, given its regional influence and its communication links with leaders in Kyiv and Moscow. A sustained dialogue is seen as a practical route to de-escalation, with Ankara ideally coordinating back-channel discussions and offering constructive proposals that keep the parties connected even when faces-off moments intensify in other arenas. The overarching idea is simple: a facilitated dialogue, supported by regular engagement from Turkey at the highest political levels, can help move negotiations forward toward a durable ceasefire and a political framework that addresses core security concerns on both sides. (Citation: Reuters)
