Turkey Moves to Deepen Ties With Russia After Fidan Visit
Ankara offered to help organize negotiations on the Russia–Ukraine war, signaling pragmatic diplomacy that seeks regional stability through South Caucasus cooperation.
Overview
- Hakan Fidan completed a two-day visit to Russia with meetings in Moscow and Kazan that included a face-to-face with President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials.
- Fidan held consultations with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s chief Ukraine negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin, Defence and security chiefs including Sergey Shoigu and FSB and intelligence heads.
- Turkey and Russia agreed to continue joint efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, with Ankara framing ties as rooted in history, strong economic links, and wide people-to-people contacts.
- Ankara publicly reiterated its readiness to provide comprehensive assistance to help organize further talks aimed at settling the Russia–Ukraine war at the negotiating table.
- Fidan voiced support for South Caucasus peace initiatives and the 3+3 cooperation platform, a move that could boost regional connectivity, economic projects, and Turkey’s role as a mediator in local conflicts.