Erdoğan warns Ukraine peace talks must not be derailed by Iran conflict
2026-03-10 - 19:53
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conveyed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a telephone conversation Tuesday that the ongoing conflict involving Iran must not be allowed to derail diplomatic efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine. According to a statement from Türkiye's Communications Directorate, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, with Erdoğan stressing that the search for peace in Ukraine should proceed independently of other regional crises. Erdoğan specifically emphasized that negotiations toward ending the Ukraine war should continue "without delay," urging all parties to maintain focus on achieving a peaceful resolution. He underscored that the healing of Ukraine's wounds, the initiation of reconstruction efforts, and the establishment of lasting security arrangements all "carry great importance" for regional stability. The president's remarks reflect Ankara's consistent position that conflicts should not be allowed to cascade, diverting attention from existing crises requiring resolution. Black Sea security and confidence-building The Turkish leader highlighted the critical importance of maritime safety in the Black Sea, a waterway where Türkiye plays a pivotal role under the Montreux Convention. Erdoğan proposed that a ceasefire ensuring the protection of energy infrastructure and ports could serve as a confidence-building measure between warring parties. Such steps, he noted, would contribute to stability and facilitate broader trust-building efforts in the region, potentially creating momentum toward a comprehensive settlement. Türkiye's commitment to support Erdoğan reaffirmed Ankara's readiness to provide "all necessary support" for initiatives aimed at achieving these objectives, positioning Türkiye as a continued facilitator in the Ukraine peace process. The phone call comes as Türkiye maintains its unique position as a NATO member with working relationships with both Ukraine and Russia, having previously hosted peace talks and brokered critical agreements including the Black Sea Grain Initiative. As regional conflicts multiply, Ankara's diplomatic engagement with Kyiv underscores its commitment to preventing the Ukraine war from becoming a forgotten crisis amid escalating tensions elsewhere in the Middle East.