Erdogan tells Trump Turkey ready to help resume Ukraine-Russia talks
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told US President Donald Trump during an October 28 phone call that Turkey is ready to help resume diplomatic negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end the war. The leaders also discussed bilateral ties, regional and international issues, and developments in the Strait of Hormuz and Yemen.
Key points
- Erdogan and Trump held a phone call on October 28.
- Erdogan said Turkey is ready to help resume Ukraine-Russia negotiations and end the war.
- The leaders discussed US-Turkey bilateral relations and regional and international issues.
- Erdogan stressed the need for a diplomatic solution in the Strait of Hormuz and Yemen.
- In April, Erdogan confirmed readiness to host another round of Ukraine-Russia talks, an idea Zelensky supported.
- Abu Dhabi is being considered as a possible venue for a proposed three-way meeting.
Why it matters
Turkey's offer could add another potential mediator to efforts to restart Ukraine-Russia negotiations. Earlier statements that Ankara is willing to host talks give the country a stated basis for assuming a mediating role.
What happened
During a phone call on October 28, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told US President Donald Trump that Turkey is ready to help resume the diplomatic process between Ukraine and Russia to end the war. The two leaders also discussed US-Turkey bilateral relations, regional and international issues, and the need for a diplomatic solution to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and Yemen. The conversation took place amid active diplomacy for a possible three-way meeting, with Abu Dhabi mentioned as a candidate venue.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reports foreground Erdogan's pledge to assist in restarting Ukraine-Russia negotiations and ending the war. They also place the offer in the context of Turkey's earlier willingness to host talks and other reported steps toward a possible three-way meeting.
How international sources describe it
International coverage presents the call as part of broader US-Turkey bilateral relations and wider regional and international discussions. Turkey's interest in the Strait of Hormuz and Yemen is framed as part of its diplomatic engagement in its role within the Joint Defense of the Mecca.
Background
In April, Erdogan confirmed that Turkey was ready to host another round of negotiations on ending the Russian war in Ukraine, and Zelensky supported the idea. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also said Ankara was ready to provide a venue again for talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations.