Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposes to "facilitate a direct contact" in Istanbul, between Russia and Ukraine, with a view to achieving a "just and lasting" peace.

The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan participated in a videoconference with 35 countries to support Ukraine and emphasized that Turkey is in contact with both parties, Ukrainian and Russian. According to the official statement, Erdogan proposed holding direct negotiations in Istanbul, mentioning that a ceasefire regarding energy and port infrastructure could create favorable conditions for a comprehensive peace agreement.

Recently, Erdogan received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara and spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although Turkey is a NATO member, it does not impose sanctions against Russia and continues to maintain relations with both countries, including by supplying combat drones to Ukraine.