Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine and further steps following direct contacts between Kyiv and Moscow. After Moscow, the Turkish foreign minister will visit Kyiv. A source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry reported this, writes Reuters.
"During the meeting, Putin and Fidan discussed the initiatives recently taken to end the war between Ukraine and Russia and the developments following the talks held in Istanbul," — the source said.
Fidan is in Moscow on a two-day visit. On Monday, he met with Putin and Russia's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, and on Tuesday he is scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
According to the source, economic and energy issues were also discussed. The Kremlin noted that the main topic of the talks will be bilateral relations, but the situation in Ukraine will also be on the agenda.
Turkey, a NATO member, has repeatedly stated its willingness to accept peace talks. Ahead of the visit, a Turkish source confirmed that Fidan would reiterate this offer:
"Fidan will reiterate Ankara's offer to host the parties and continue to play the role of 'mediator.'"
Following his visit to Moscow, Hakan Fidan is expected to travel to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian officials and continue the dialogue initiated during recent talks in Istanbul.
