**Ukraine Invites Turkish President to Visit Amid Ongoing War**
In a significant move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has extended an invitation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Ukraine. This would be Erdogan’s first official trip to the country since 2022, according to Nariman Dzheilal, Ukraine’s ambassador to Ankara.
The expected visit comes on the heels of the third round of Ukrainian-Russian peace talks held in Istanbul on July 23. Turkey has positioned itself as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine during the full-scale war, with Erdogan previously visiting Lviv in August 2022, marking his only visit to the country since the invasion began.
One of the key topics on the agenda for Erdogan’s visit will be the ratification of the long-awaited free trade agreement between Turkey and Ukraine. The deal was signed three weeks before Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, but Ukraine has yet to finalize its ratification.
**Turkey’s Role in Peace Efforts**
The talks between Erdogan and Zelensky are expected to cover Turkey’s efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Turkey facilitated peace talks in March 2022 and remains one of the few countries maintaining open channels with both Kyiv and Moscow.
In recent statements, Erdogan has emphasized Turkey’s willingness to host peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. He said that Turkey is ready to hold talks to end the Russian war against Ukraine. Erdogan also expressed interest from U.S. President Donald Trump in joining such talks, potentially alongside a meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
**A Glimmer of Hope?**
The invitation extended by Zelensky to Erdogan may be seen as a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. It is essential to note that Turkey’s efforts have been consistent throughout the war, with the country maintaining open channels with both Ukraine and Russia.
While the third round of Ukraine-Russia negotiations ended without a peace agreement, both sides agreed to proceed with new prisoner exchanges. The proposed summit with Erdogan, Zelensky, Trump, and Putin may serve as an opportunity for all parties involved to engage in meaningful dialogue.
As Kateryna Hodunova, News Editor at the Kyiv Independent notes, “The talks will also cover Turkey’s ‘peace efforts’ related to Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.” The significance of Erdogan’s visit should not be understated, and it remains to be seen how the talks unfold.
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