Author: Anadolu Agency

Türkiye is set to take center stage in global diplomacy this Thursday as it prepares to host the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in over three years. Expectations for a potential breakthrough are particularly high due to the possibility of a direct meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The global spotlight is also shining brightly on Istanbul because of Donald Trump’s vocal support for the idea, with the US president-currently on a tour of Gulf states-hinting he could travel to Türkiye if a Putin-Zelenskyy summit materializes. The meeting, which would be…

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday hailed US President Donald Trump’s “bold” decision to lift long-standing sanctions on Syria, declaring it a turning point for the country’s future. “Today marks the beginning of serious work and the launch of modern Syria’s journey,” al-Sharaa said in a televised address to the nation. He described US President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria as “courageous decision that laid the foundations for regional stability.” He also expressed deep appreciation for regional allies, notably Türkiye. “President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stood by the Syrian people, and his country has shouldered a great deal…

China on Wednesday urged “all parties” to “create conditions” for direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, state media reported. “Since the first day of the conflict, China has been committed to promoting peace and facilitating talks, supporting the resolution of the crisis through dialogue and negotiation, and emphasizing that all parties should create conditions for direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine to be resumed,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing. Lin was responding to questions on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal of direct talks with Ukraine in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed…

On the eve of historic new peace talks, Hajo Funke, a political scientist at the Free University of Berlin, emphasized that there is no better place than Istanbul for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. On May 11, Russian President Putin proposed resuming the direct negotiations in Istanbul that were cut off three years ago, this time without preconditions, and requested Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan host the new peace talks in Istanbul this Thursday. Ukraine responded positively to the proposal, and the international community hailed the holding of new peace talks in Istanbul. “Meeting in Istanbul is a sign of…

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha on Wednesday discussed efforts to establish a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war and achieve lasting peace. Fidan met with Sybiha in Antalya, southern Türkiye on the sidelines of an informal NATO foreign ministers meeting, said Turkish diplomatic sources. Fidan underlined Türkiye’s readiness to provide all kinds of support-including hosting mediation and peace talks, which is set to do in Istanbul on Thursday-to help achieve peace in Ukraine. The meeting also covered preparations for a planned visit to Türkiye by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized Wednesday that a just peace in Ukraine must be based on international law and respect the country’s territorial integrity. Guterres reiterated during a news conference in Berlin that the United Nations has consistently called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. “We think a ceasefire must be something to pave the way for a solution, and for us, the solution is a just peace,” he told reporters. “And a just peace for us means peace that respects the UN Charter, international law, and the resolutions of the UN General Assembly, including the territorial integrity…

Russia and Malaysia are working on launching direct flights between the two countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. “The opening of direct air service between our two countries is being worked on, which will undoubtedly contribute to expanding business and humanitarian contacts,” Putin said at a news conference following talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The relations between Russia and Malaysia are experiencing an upward trend, he said, adding that there are certain prerequisites for more constructive and meaningful interaction. Praising the role of Ibrahim, Putin said that the Malaysian prime minister makes an active personal contribution…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on late Wednesday arrived in the Turkish Mediterranean resort city of Antalya to attend the informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers. He is also expected to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Earlier, Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said that the country is ready to take more responsibility in various efforts for the future of European security and facilitate peace in neighboring regions. The meeting this Wednesday and Thursday in the southern city of Antalya demonstrates the importance Türkiye attaches to NATO and Euro-Atlantic security.

Spain signed a pact with Türkiye on Wednesday to import HURJET, the country’s first indigenously developed jet trainer and light attack aircraft manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI). A memorandum of understanding (MoU) also includes plans to co-produce the aircraft’s infrastructure in Spain. Turkish Deputy Defense Ministers Musa Heybet and Suay Alpay, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Madrid Nuket Kucukel Ezberci, TAI General Manager Mehmet Demiroglu, Spain’s Director General of Defense Industrial Strategy and Innovation, and Air and Space Force Lieutenant General Miguel Ivorra, other officials attended the signing ceremony in Madrid. “Today is a very important day. Today, Türkiye has…

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin would “like” him to attend the upcoming peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, holding the door open to his participation. “I don’t know if he’s showing up. I know he would like me to be there. And that’s a possibility,” the US president told reporters aboard Air Force One. “I’ve been thinking about that. Now tomorrow, we’re all booked out, you understand that. We’re going to UAE tomorrow. So we have a very full situation. Now that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t do it to save a lot of lives…