Turkey mediates as Russia and Ukraine pursue ceasefire talks

• Meeting in Kyiv: Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, is visiting Kyiv, where he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other high-ranking officials.
• Russia's proposal: Russia has proposed that the next round of negotiations take place on June 2 in Istanbul, which Ukraine conditions on Russia presenting its demands.
• Turkey's role: Turkey, as mediator, plays a key role in the negotiation process, emphasizes Hakan Fidan.

Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, expressed confidence that both Russia and Ukraine are striving for a ceasefire. "I observe that the issue is beginning to take a more optimistic turn as negotiations start. Both parties want a ceasefire. No one says they don’t want it," Fidan conveyed. His visit to Kyiv aims for further talks with Ukrainian leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has expressed readiness to participate in negotiations in Istanbul, provided that Russia presents its demands, allowing for a constructive discussion. The previous meeting of the delegations from both countries took place on May 16, also in Istanbul. Turkey, acting as a mediator, strives to facilitate dialogue between the parties. Hakan Fidan emphasized that Turkey is the "ideal actor" in this situation.

Following a visit to Russia, where Fidan met with Vladimir Putin and Sergey Lavrov, Turkey continues its mediation efforts. The Kremlin's proposal for another meeting with Ukraine emerged just after Fidan's visit to Moscow. During his visit to Kyiv on Friday, Fidan is to speak with key Ukrainian officials, which may contribute to progress in the negotiations.