Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, during which he stated that Ankara is ready to contribute to the restoration of the diplomatic process between Ukraine and Russia. The conversation between the leaders took place on October 28, 2026, on the eve of Turkey's Republic Day, celebrated on October 29. During the talks, the parties discussed not only the Ukrainian settlement but also the strengthening of bilateral partnership and pressing regional security issues in the Middle East.
Turkey's Diplomatic Efforts and Ankara's Stance
According to the Turkish leader's press service, Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized Turkey's aspiration to facilitate a speedy end to the war through the resumption of the negotiation track. Ankara traditionally positions itself as a neutral platform for dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv, having experience in successful mediation in humanitarian and grain initiatives in past years. US President Donald Trump, in turn, congratulated his Turkish counterpart and the entire nation on the upcoming Republic Day.
Preparation for Trilateral Meeting and Key Topics
In parallel with Ankara's diplomatic contacts, Washington continues active work to resume peaceful dialogue. Special representatives of the US administration Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have held a series of consultations with both the Ukrainian and Russian sides over the past months. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously announced that a trilateral meeting involving representatives of the US, Ukraine, and Russia could take place between November 6 and 10, with Abu Dhabi considered as a likely venue. The Kremlin also confirmed preparations for such contacts.
Regional Challenges and Security in the Strait of Hormuz
In addition to the Ukrainian topic, the leaders of Turkey and the US touched upon the situation in the zone of responsibility of the joint defense alliance. Erdogan noted that Ankara is closely monitoring the escalation in Yemen and the Strait of Hormuz, advocating for an exclusively diplomatic resolution to crises. The Turkish leadership consistently emphasizes the need to prevent large-scale conflicts in the Middle East and fulfill allied obligations to maintain stability in strategically important regions.
Significance and Prospects of the Negotiation Process
Turkey's proposals to resume the Russian-Ukrainian dialogue overlap with the overall intensification of international mediators. The agenda for upcoming contacts in November includes issues of a partial ceasefire regarding critical infrastructure and energy, maritime security, as well as a large-scale prisoner exchange and the return of detained civilians. The success of these initiatives largely depends on the readiness of Moscow and Kyiv to compromise with the support of Washington and regional heavyweights like Turkey.
