With the Balkan Peace Platform meeting held in Istanbul on Saturday, Türkiye strives to ensure stability in its immediate region, with which it has historical ties.

The Balkans are not only strategic for Türkiye but also a priority area intertwined with cultural and human ties, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday.

“The stability of the Balkans is of great importance primarily for Europe, as well as for the peace and security of neighboring regions,” Fidan told a press conference following the meeting in Istanbul.

Fidan emphasized that the participants agreed to produce “regional solutions for regional problems” at the meeting, stating that they would address issues as they arose.

He noted ongoing discussions to raise awareness and expressed satisfaction with the shared common ground, adding that they decided to meet again every six months, with Istanbul continuing as the platform’s center for now.

The foreign minister also described the inaugural Balkan Peace Platform as an informal format and said there is a consensus to bring leaders together under this framework once progress is made.

Fidan recalled tensions between some Balkan countries but welcomed the fact that “no one wants a hot war or conflict like in the past,” emphasizing a consensus around resolving issues through diplomacy and dialogue.

He noted that while the region often focuses on problems, missing opportunities have negative economic and security consequences.

He highlighted a shared awareness and mental agreement on setting aside certain issues to pursue peaceful cooperation and enhanced connectivity in economic and other areas, calling this consensus the platform’s greatest achievement for the continuation of regional peace.

The meeting hosted the foreign ministers and top officials of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania. The platform aims to foster dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation among regional countries and to develop lasting solutions to regional issues.

The Balkan Peace Platform has been developed within the framework of Türkiye’s innovative diplomacy understanding and is an initiative that aims to respond to the region’s needs. Türkiye has become a remarkable actor in the Balkans as a natural result of economic growth and foreign policy versatility in the last 20 years. Ankara emphasizes peace, stability and good neighborliness in the Balkans. It offers solutions to the region’s chronic problems, as it believes that addressing expansionist nationalist tendencies and overcoming the issues created by micro-nationalism is only possible through the sovereign equality of states.

In this context, Türkiye is attentive to minorities living within the borders of the Balkan states, not to be discriminated against and to protect the identities of those peoples. Apart from its diplomatic missions, it also provides economic, technical and humanitarian aid to Balkan countries through semi-official institutions such as the Yunus Emre Institutes, the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay), the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

As part of Türkiye’s initiatives in the Balkans, Belgrade and Ankara initiated the trilateral consultation mechanism with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. Furthermore, Ankara regularly participates in structures such as the Southeast European Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, and the Steering Committee of the Peace Implementation Council in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The country also contributes to regional stability through the NATO KFOR and EUFOR Althea movements.

The KFOR started its duty in Kosovo on June 12, 1999, following a U.N. Security Council decision to ensure security and stability. The mission has over 4,500 international military personnel from 27 countries, including 21 NATO members and six non-NATO partner countries. Ankara took command of NATO’s KFOR on Oct. 9, 2023, the first time it has done so. Among 27 NATO member countries and partners, Türkiye has the second-largest contingent in the KFOR, contributing at least 780 of its approximately 4,500 soldiers. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and was recognized by many countries, including Türkiye. However, Belgrade has never recognized Kosovo and claims it remains part of Serbia. Türkiye maintains good relations with both Kosovo and Serbia.

Noting that the initiative to convene the Balkan Peace Platform came at the directive of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Fidan said regional leaders showed strong interest in the proposal.

Highlighting the Balkans as a strategic crossroads connecting Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, Fidan emphasized the region’s historical significance in political, economic and security matters.

He also emphasized that bilateral cooperation with regional countries is evolving on multiple levels, with high-level contacts continually expanding into new areas.

“We believe that stability in the Balkans will become permanent primarily through strengthened cooperation and dialogue among regional countries. This approach is based on the principle of regional ownership,” he said.

He stated that the Balkan Peace Platform represents a new step in regional ownership, aiming to establish a practical and effective structure that fosters honest dialogue and regular communication among all parties.

The foreign minister expressed their aim to create a foundation where the term Balkans is associated not with division and fragmentation, but with cooperation and solidarity, striving to contribute to the prosperity and peace of both the region and its neighbors.

“We aim to support existing mechanisms rather than replace any process. We offer a framework that supports the efforts of the international community, particularly the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue process,” Fidan said, adding that participants had come together today to find solutions to Balkan issues and develop concrete projects.

“We cannot leave our future to chance or the hands of others,” Fidan said, adding that they discussed regional issues with participants, emphasizing that establishing stability and prosperity across the Balkans is a top priority.

“We exchanged views on various topics, including political developments, energy security, strengthening connectivity, regional cooperation and capacity-building opportunities. We also evaluated the future of the Balkan Peace Platform, aiming for it to serve as a complementary format to existing initiatives in the region,” he said.

The foreign minister highlighted a shared commitment to hold regular meetings and prioritize projects that will concretely advance regional cooperation.

He also stressed that in today’s global crises and rising uncertainties, joint solutions are essential, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen regional dialogue and noting that decisions about their region must be made collectively.

Fidan expressed hope that the Balkan Peace Platform will serve this purpose, adding that the initiative was launched with a joint effort to build a Balkans that collaborates and embraces its diversity as a strength.

EU accession

On the concrete decisions made during today’s talks, Fidan recalled that six of the seven participating countries are EU membership candidates and said, “One of our common agenda items was how we can share experiences within the EU accession process,” focusing on coordinated positions and raising regional awareness in Brussels.

Fidan said the Balkan Peace Platform offers a valuable forum for discussing shared experiences on EU visa and customs union policies, regional challenges tied to EU accession, and mutual awareness of sensitivities between the EU and the Balkans.

“Historically, geographically and culturally, these countries are a continuation of one another,” Fidan said. Stressing the importance of joint action, he added that regional nations agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, economy, politics and defense based on their mutual interdependence.

He noted that the EU is developing two projects funded by special funds – the European Security Action (SAFE) and Rearm Europe (European rearmament plan) – that grant specific rights to member states and have different provisions concerning candidate countries.

He added that a joint decision was made to collaborate on issues concerning candidate countries.

Fidan emphasized the need for defense industry cooperation beyond SAFE and Rearm Europe, highlighting the different capacities among countries, noting that this topic was also on the agenda.

Interest in the Balkans

Fidan highlighted the growing interest of Turkish tourists in Balkan countries, especially among young people, emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding through education and observation.

He noted that Turkish tourists rank first in visitor numbers across six Balkan countries, with tours to cities like Belgrade, Pristina, Skopje and Tirana becoming increasingly popular.

He added that these countries welcome this trend, while Istanbul and other parts of Türkiye also remain major attractions for tourism and business, emphasizing the need to develop further and better assess these connections.

Russia-Ukraine

Fidan underlined that one key agenda of the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul is bringing the leaders together.

He recalled that Russia and Ukraine expressed their willingness to meet in Istanbul under Türkiye’s hosting, but noted that ongoing negotiations continue over the timing and conditions of the meeting. “As negotiators, we are making efforts to find a middle ground between Ukraine and Russia’s differing positions.”

He pointed out increasing agreements on prisoner exchanges and humanitarian efforts, saying: “Both sides are showing goodwill and effort to implement this, which greatly pleases our president and us.”

Fidan highlighted U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in the cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine, adding: “Our president wants to accelerate this process.

He is a firm believer in leaders’ diplomacy, believing that certain deadlocks between negotiating teams can be resolved through a leaders’ meeting. “We may take initiative to make this possible,” he added.

The foreign minister said that both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders are willing to meet, but there is a disagreement over the conditions for such a meeting.

He said the disagreement is not over whether the leaders should meet, but rather over the conditions, timing and agenda of the meeting, stressing that progress must first be made at the delegation level.

Fidan expressed hope that, once the groundwork is laid, a trilateral meeting hosted by Erdoğan in Istanbul could take place in the near future.

After convincing the PKK terrorist group to lay down arms, Türkiye is now ironing out the technicalities of the next stage of the terror-free Türkiye initiative.

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş stated on Sunday that a parliamentary committee on the matter will commence work in August, as parties have begun announcing the names of lawmakers who will join the committee.

The committee will be comprised of 51 parliamentarians. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will be represented by 21 members; its ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) will contribute four lawmakers each; and the main opposition, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), will have 10 lawmakers on the committee, media outlets reported over the weekend. Reports say the committee would be eligible to suggest draft bills if 31 lawmakers approve it.

Its work will concentrate on the state of PKK terrorists who abandoned arms and those who were incarcerated for aiding and abetting the PKK. The PKK is still regarded as a terrorist group, and the committee will likely debate about its future status once the group fully abandons arms. Earlier this month, some 30 PKK members, including a senior leader, burned their weapons in a ceremony in northern Iraq. Although symbolic, the gesture marked the first time that the group practically laid down arms in its campaign of violence for more than four decades. The PKK has previously announced so-called unilateral truces but has never entirely given up its ambitions.

The terror-free Türkiye initiative launched by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli had its first tangible progress in February when PKK’s jailed ringleader Abdullah Öcalan accepted Bahçeli’s call and urged the group to lay down arms. In May, the PKK announced it would dissolve itself.

Along with major parties, smaller ones have also agreed to contribute to the committee, and they are required to declare the names of their lawmakers to the head of Parliament by Thursday. Kurtulmuş will chair the committee but will not be eligible for voting on its decisions. The committee, the only one operating at the Parliament, which recently began its summer recess, will convene four times weekly at most and will debate reports presented by intelligence and security units monitoring the PKK’s disarmament.

Media reports say the committee will chart a road map for the initiative and will discuss regulations and amendments to accelerate the initiative, including regulations similar to the “Homecoming Law” implemented in 2003 that offered lenient sentences for PKK members not involved in terror attacks. The committee’s work will serve as a guideline for future bills on terrorism.

Far-right parties are skeptical of the initiative and even outright hostile to efforts to end terrorism. Among them are the Good Party (IP) and the Victory Party (ZP), which heavily criticized the initiative. The IP shunned the parliamentary committee and will stage rallies across Türkiye in August. The CHP, on the other hand, is reportedly seeking equal representation of all parties at the committee, although this has not been confirmed by the party’s administration.

Addressing an event in the western province of Çanakkale on Sunday, Kurtulmuş stated that the committee would oversee the initiative and take steps to implement any necessary political and legal regulations to further advance it.

Joint determination

“This is not a matter that will occupy Türkiye’s agenda for a long time. However, this committee, which will demonstrate the joint determination of all parties in the Parliament, will also serve as a working platform where different voices can be heard in the pursuit of elevating Türkiye’s democratization. Different views will be expressed there, but at the end of the day, decisions that will be absolutely for the good of the nation and the country will be taken,” Kurtulmuş said.

“I hope that the committee will fulfill its responsibility in a short time and will bring its proposals before Parliament. Thus, we will end terrorism. Türkiye will be a country that has eliminated terrorism in a period where more countries in the region are being dragged into a cycle of terrorism. This will require a common effort. The entire nation will make an effort to achieve it. It has been almost 50 years now. If the terrorist networks used as proxy organizations by imperialists to divide this nation succeeded, Türkiye would already be partitioned. Nobody managed to divide this country, divide Turks, Kurds, Alevis, Sunnis. We share a history, culture, past, civilization, traditions,” he said.

For years, the PKK exploited the underprivileged Kurdish community, particularly in the southeast, claiming to fight for a self-styled state for them. Initially, Türkiye adhered to a strict counterterrorism strategy, declaring a state of emergency in the southeast. Counterterrorism policies in the 1990s, in particular, however, stoked terrorism more. In the 2000s, the country tried a new strategy with the “reconciliation process,” looking to eliminate reasons the PKK sought to justify its violence, such as reinstating the rights of Kurds. This process, however, failed when the PKK ended its “unilateral truce,” forcing the state to expand military operations to stamp out terrorists. As the PKK sought to increase its clout, Türkiye launched more cross-border military offensives, including in Syria and Iraq. Before the start of the terror-free Türkiye initiative, it succeeded to a large extent in neutralizing the threat of the terrorist group. In the past few years, the PKK’s acts of terrorism dropped to an all-time low.

Kurtulmuş said no power can separate “children of Alparslan and Selahaddin Eyyubi,” referring to two legendary leaders who etched their names in the annals of Turkish and Muslim history for their victory over Byzantine forces and Crusaders. Salahaddin Eyyubi, also known as Saladin, is recognized as a ruler of Kurdish origin, while Alparslan of the Seljuks is credited with establishing Türkiye as the homeland for Turkic tribes originating from Central Asia, following the iconic Battle of Manzikert in 1071.

He also stated that Türkiye derailed the plot to divide it. “It was the faith of the nation that disrupted it. It was the spirit of national solidarity within this nation that disrupted it. It was the national unity and consciousness of this nation that disrupted it. God willing, now the terrorist group will also formally dissolve itself and Türkiye will continue on its path as a strong country completely cleansed of all terrorist groups,” he said.

“If Türkiye can successfully maintain its internal peace, unity and the terror-free process, then the road ahead is open. Our march toward being a Türkiye with a stronger voice, both regionally and globally, is steady and powerful. I hope we will successfully complete this process in the shortest time possible, and continue on our path with even greater strength,” he added.

Kurtulmuş underlined that the initiative was not the work of any single political party and was not a political process “in the conventional sense.” “This is a fight for existence that all 86 million people must embrace and carry out together,” he said.

“The terrorism was imposed on Türkiye as a shackle by international imperialists – those who rule today’s world by the law of the jungle. Now is the time to break free of these shackles. Türkiye has carried this burden for too long. It will leave terrorism behind. In unity and solidarity, the terrorist group will dissolve itself. After its dissolution, we will not allow any breeding ground to emerge in which terrorism could once again develop,” he added.

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Türkiye has warned Israel against exploiting the instability in post-Assad Syria, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday.

Speaking to private broadcaster NTV, Fidan said Ankara issued a stern warning to foreign powers and non-state actors seeking to exploit the fragile period in Syria following the ouster of Bashar Assad last December.

“After seeing the mobilization of some other groups, taking advantage of the events in Suwayda, we, as the government, had to issue a warning,” Fidan said. “Because we want unity and integrity in Syria. The groups there need to find the golden balance and move forward with that formula.”

“Türkiye is sending the same message to Israel, both through its own intelligence channels and through its interlocutors,” Fidan told NTV. “We have no hidden agenda. We say that no country should pose a threat to Syria, and Syria should pose a threat to no one. That’s our understanding.”

Fidan reiterated that the division of Syria remains a red line for Türkiye, calling it a national security issue. “Our neighbors are vital living spaces for us. We don’t want to be preoccupied with the problems there. Our number one goal is to ensure stability, tranquility, and security in the region. We do not have a hegemonic approach,” he said.

He accused foreign actors of capitalizing on Syria’s fractured state, singling out Israel.

“Türkiye saw that actors who would take advantage of Syria’s division and instability were struggling in the pit of despair and hopelessness that Syria was in. We believe Israel, in particular, had such a goal. Netanyahu made this clear,” he said.

Fidan emphasized the need for peace and cooperation.

“As the children of the region, we must manage to live in peace and establish this system,” he said, adding that Syria requires significant support to rebuild its state institutions.

Suwayda unrest

Commenting on the turmoil in Suwayda, Fidan criticized Israel for obstructing Syrian state efforts to de-escalate clashes between Bedouin and Druze communities. “If the central powers are not there, no one can prevent the mutual massacre there,” he warned.

Despite the tensions, Fidan noted signs of progress: “We met in Amman. Only one of the three Druze branches used language that they oppose any agreement.” Dialogue between factions remains ongoing.

Fidan also expressed support for Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, noting his inclusive approach. “There are many groups in the region engaged in conflict. There should be no armed groups other than the state in Syria. I believe al-Shara is intervening with the resources at his disposal,” he said.

US goals in region

On the role of the United States, Fidan welcomed a shift in tone. “Türkiye sees the U.S. playing a constructive role in the region. Tom Barrack, sent to the region by Mr. Trump and appointed as the U.S. Representative in Syria, represents a new approach that strives to project a certain impartiality. It’s a unique vision we’ve been waiting for for years,” said Fidan.

He credited Barrack with helping establish a period of calm through diplomacy with Israel, Syria, Jordan, and Türkiye. “We are experiencing a certain calm now,” he said, expressing hope it would continue.

Warning to YPG

Fidan said that although media attention on Suwayda had altered public focus, Türkiye’s core objectives remain unchanged. “Türkiye’s agenda is not shifting,” he asserted.

He called on the YPG terrorist group to reach a voluntary agreement with the central government.

“It is important for the YPG to reach an agreement with the central government voluntarily, without delay… It is unacceptable for armed groups to continue to exist in this country using certain pretexts.” He added that Türkiye expects the YPG to disarm.

Tom Barrack’s recent statements on the YPG were described by Fidan as “a timely call.”

PKK disarmament

Fidan also spoke about the ongoing disarmament of the PKK, stating that Türkiye cannot afford to repeat past mistakes. “We have no right to replay the PKK scenario in Iraq and Syria over and over again… Our expectation is that there will be no threat left.”

He noted that armed elements in Iraq, Syria, and Iran continue to pose challenges. “For the last 10 years, we have driven the PKK from these lands… Transformation is possible with a more civilized approach, without resorting to the language of weapons and conflict.”

Gaza war

Turning to the war in Gaza, Fidan denounced Israel’s ongoing military campaign.

“It’s clear this unbridled rampage will end somewhere… Israel is pursuing a genocidal policy that goes something like this: In addition to burning and destroying Gaza, it is also trying to make it uninhabitable by starving people to death.”

He argued that ceasefire talks remain stalled due to three key issues: the distribution of humanitarian aid, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and Hamas’s demand for guarantees to prevent future attacks.

Fidan accused Israel of trying to offload the Palestinian population, stating, “Israeli intelligence officials are traveling from country to country, forcing them to accept Palestinian refugees.”

Russia-Ukraine summit

Fidan confirmed that Türkiye had hosted a meeting regarding Ukraine and Russia, where the groundwork for a potential leaders’ summit was laid.

“A principal agreement was reached to hold a leaders’ summit in Türkiye,” he said, adding that both sides had shown willingness to negotiate. “If we continue like this, I believe an interim solution will emerge.”

Eurofighters

On the topic of defense procurement, Fidan said that talks regarding Eurofighter jets had gained momentum after long delays.

“There’s a multi-layered process… The aircraft you’re purchasing isn’t just about flying… It’s not a simple decision. You’re changing a system.”

He noted that progress was made through the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s direct engagement and ongoing technical discussions.

Schengen visa

In a positive development for Turkish citizens, Fidan welcomed the EU’s decision to ease Schengen visa procedures.

The European Union has eased rules for Turks to use its open-border Schengen Area, the bloc’s ambassador to Ankara announced last week.

The new guidelines allow for longer-term, multiple-entry visas to be issued to Turkish nationals who have previously obtained a Schengen visa and traveled regularly without overstaying.

“There was very serious work, and as a result, this decision was made… The steps to be taken with Europe through visa liberalization are important for keeping Türkiye’s EU perspective alive,” Fidan said.

Iran-Israel war

Finally, addressing the possibility of a broader conflict between Iran and Israel, Fidan said tensions remain but war is not inevitable.

“I believe Iran will not attack unless it is attacked… If an agreement is reached in the nuclear negotiations, I believe we will not see a war,” he said.

Türkiye is a wise and strong NATO ally, Belgium’s Defense and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken said Saturday, praising the nation’s expanding role in defense innovation and regional diplomacy.

Francken spoke to Anadolu Agency (AA) at the 2025 International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul.

“The geopolitical situation in Türkiye is very complex, and that’s why they really invest in defense. For me, Türkiye is a role model,” he said.

Türkiye seen as ‘defense innovator’

Highlighting Türkiye’s longstanding role in NATO since joining the alliance in 1952, Francken said he admired Ankara’s advances in defense technology. “They are doing a lot of innovation – drones, counter-drones, laser technology. It’s incredible.”

Francken said his visit to IDEF 2025 was aimed to deepen bilateral defense ties.

“We have exercises together within NATO, but it is too few. We need more industrial cooperation,” he said. “It’s not because we don’t want, or Türkiye doesn’t want. It’s because we didn’t have this with history. So, we need a new memorandum of understanding.”

He expressed his intent to sign an agreement with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler in the coming year.

Ankara’s diplomatic weight grows

Turning to Türkiye’s role in Ukraine diplomacy, Francken hailed Ankara’s efforts in hosting peace talks.

“Türkiye is the perfect place to have peace talks. Everybody listens to Türkiye on an international level,” he said.

Francken also said Belgium supports Türkiye’s participation in EU defense initiatives. “Türkiye needs to get in the safe program. That’s the Belgian position,” he said. “Even if not an EU member, Türkiye is crucial to European defense.”

He also announced that Belgium will soon host a Turkish defense industry attache in Brussels.

“From this year on, there will be a Turkish representative for Turkish armaments and weapons systems in Brussels. I warmly welcome him,” he said.

On Gaza, Francken underscored Belgium’s readiness to deliver humanitarian aid. “Civilians cannot starve because of the war,” he said. “The Belgian Air Force is ready to restart humanitarian air drops from Jordan.”

Francken emphasized that Palestinian civilians must be protected. “We need to help the people of Gaza. They need food, water, education. And Belgium is ready to help on the humanitarian side,” he said.

Francken also highlighted a major economic milestone. “Next year in June, we will come with Princess Astrid and a group of 500-600 Belgian entrepreneurs for the largest economic mission Belgium has ever sent to Türkiye,” he said. “It’s just before the NATO summit, perfect timing.”

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Foreign diplomatic missions in Türkiye expressed condolences following the tragic deaths of 10 people, five forest workers and five of the Search and Rescue Association (AKUT) team, who lost their lives while battling a devastating wildfire in Eskişehir’s rural Seyitgazi district.

The fire, fueled by record-breaking temperatures, strong winds and critically low humidity, turned deadly when a sudden wind shift engulfed a response team deep within the forest.

In a wave of solidarity shared via their social media accounts, embassies and diplomats across Ankara paid tribute to the victims and conveyed support to Türkiye during this difficult time.

The French Embassy said: “We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives fighting wildfires in the Eskişehir region. In this difficult time marked by numerous fires, France stands with Türkiye.”

Hungarian Ambassador Viktor Matis wrote: “I’m deeply saddened by the loss of heroic individuals who gave their lives to save others and protect forests. Condolences to the bereaved.”

German Ambassador Sibylle Katharina Sorg also expressed sorrow, saying: “We received heartbreaking news from Eskişehir. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the 10 who died while responding to the fires and wish a swift recovery to the 14 injured. Climate change poses an existential threat to us all.”

Pakistan’s Embassy emphasized its grief, saying: “We are deeply saddened by the precious lives lost. We offer condolences to grieving families and pray for the full and speedy recovery of the injured.”

The Dutch Embassy stated: “Our hearts go out to the families of the forest and rescue workers and volunteers who lost their lives. We stand with those battling the wildfires and with the people of Türkiye.”

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara and the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul similarly expressed deep sadness at the loss of life and destruction caused by wildfires in Eskişehir and other parts of the country.

“Our thoughts are with the grieving families, those affected, and the courageous first responders. The United States stands with Türkiye in this difficult time,” their statement read.

The EU delegation also issued a statement mourning the losses, praising the dedication and sacrifice of those who died while protecting people and nature.

“Their efforts reflect the highest values of solidarity and selflessness,” the delegation wrote. “As a long-standing partner of both the General Directorate of Forestry and AKUT, we share in the sorrow of this tragic loss and express our full solidarity with the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the victims. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. May the deceased rest in peace.”

The outpouring of condolences underscored the global support for Türkiye’s emergency responders and communities as the country continues to battle the ongoing threat of forest fires.

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We aim to bring together the leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the United States to achieve peace in the ongoing war, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Friday, indicating he would talk this week with Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.

“I might speak to Putin and Trump this week to see if we can hold a leaders’ meeting on the war in Istanbul,” the president told reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul.

“The last meeting was at Çırağan. My foreign minister conducted the meeting on my behalf. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian delegation met with us in Ankara before moving on to Çırağan. I received them and had meetings with them. Of course, I also talked with Mr. Vladimir Putin during these meetings, and we sought his support,” he elaborated.

Erdoğan’s words came after Türkiye brought together Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul on Wednesday.

The rival sides met earlier in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2 amid U.S. pressure to agree on a cease-fire to end the three-year-old conflict. Despite the urging of U.S. President Donald Trump, no major breakthrough was made.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said on Friday that a summit between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could only happen as a final step to seal a peace deal.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that it was unlikely that such a meeting could occur by the end of August, as Ukraine has proposed.

Ukrainian and Russian negotiators have so far only agreed to hold prisoner exchanges. And Russia has since launched intense air attacks on Ukraine and seized more front line territory.

Russia has demanded that Ukraine give up four regions, on top of Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. The Kremlin also insists that Ukraine should abandon any plans to join the NATO military alliance.

Ukraine has rejected the demands and expressed doubt that Russia wants a cease-fire.

Ankara is keen on boosting its international profile as a key mediator and utilizes Istanbul’s symbolic location to promote diplomacy between the parties involved in conflicts and disagreements on a global level.

NATO member Türkiye is one of the most active countries working to ensure a permanent cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia. Its delicately balanced act of assuming a role as a mediator by keeping communication channels with both warring sides open provides a glimmer of hope in diplomatic efforts to find a solution and achieve peace in the Ukraine crisis. With its unique position of maintaining friendly relations with both Russia and Ukraine, Türkiye has garnered widespread praise for its efforts to end the war.

While Ankara has opposed international sanctions aimed at isolating Moscow, it has also closed its straits to prevent some Russian vessels from crossing through them.

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