Turkey claims that while a peace agreement for Ukraine may be difficult to accept, it is preferable to ongoing loss of life

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated to Reuters on Friday that any prospective peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia would be “challenging to accept,” yet it would still be preferable to the ongoing cycle of death and devastation.

As a NATO member, Turkey has fostered friendly relations with both Kyiv and Moscow since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The country has expressed support for Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and has provided military assistance, while also opposing sanctions against Russia.

During an interview at a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Fidan indicated that Turkey backs a U.S. initiative aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine, although he noted that the parties involved are still “a little bit far away” from achieving an agreement. “Any proposal will be extremely difficult to accept,” Fidan remarked. “However, when we consider the alternative, which involves further death and destruction, I believe that any conditions we have will be more justifiable.”

He also mentioned that U.S. President Donald Trump “is finally pursuing an agenda to halt the war.”

When questioned about possible security guarantees for Ukraine, Fidan remarked that Europe cannot provide these independently without U.S. assistance, emphasizing the need for a deterrent to prevent the resumption of hostilities. “There is significant effort to encourage the American side to re-engage in security support for Ukraine,” he noted, referencing recent discussions among European nations. He expressed the expectation that all parties, including Russia, would adhere to any final agreement.

The potential for concluding the war has elevated Turkey’s significance in regional security, positioning it as a crucial partner in the reconfiguration of Europe’s security framework, as European nations strive to enhance their defenses and seek assurances for Ukraine in any upcoming peace arrangement.

Kyiv has indicated that Turkey, which possesses the second largest military in NATO, would play a crucial role as a security guarantor. Ankara has expressed its willingness to contemplate participation in a peace initiative on the ground, although it has noted that the specifics of such a mission are still uncertain.

Fidan reiterated Turkey’s proposal to facilitate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, following its role in hosting initial discussions in 2022.

U.S. SANCTIONS

Regarding Trump’s significant shift in U.S. transatlantic security policies, which includes fostering closer relations with Russia, Fidan suggested that this could present an opportunity for Europe to achieve greater independence after being heavily reliant on the United States since the Cold War.

He stated, “If we observe that the key players are no longer adversarial and are engaging in some form of cooperation, I believe the mindset inherited from the Cold War, characterized by hostility primarily between the United States and Russia, will undergo a significant transformation.”

Fidan, who recently met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the NATO summit after visiting him in Washington last month, expressed optimism that Trump would find a resolution to lift the long-standing U.S. sanctions imposed on Turkey’s defense sector.

The CAATSA sanctions were enacted following Turkey’s acquisition of Russian S-400 defense systems in 2019, which also led to Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet development and procurement program. Fidan remarked, “These sanctions need to be rectified. I believe Mr. Trump, with his problem-solving approach and his team, will be able to devise a solution.”