Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Moscow on May 25–27 at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The agenda includes discussions on a wide range of bilateral and international issues.
Moscow and Ankara maintain a balanced and dynamic political dialogue characterized by regular high-level contacts. The leaders of both countries met in person in 2024 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana and the BRICS summit in Kazan. Lavrov and Fidan last met in April 2025 at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
Sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry earlier told TASS that Fidan hopes to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit. Bilateral meetings are also being considered with Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky and Defense Minister Andrey Belousov.
“The Russian side expects that the upcoming meeting in Moscow will contribute significantly to deepening ties between the two countries and to forming a more predictable regional security architecture,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said ahead of the talks.
Focus on Ukraine
The ongoing situation regarding Russian-Ukrainian negotiations is expected to take center stage in the discussions. Turkey continues to play a mediating role in the process, having hosted direct talks between Russia and Ukraine twice. On May 16, Istanbul hosted the first direct talks between the two sides since 2022. As a result, Moscow and Kyiv agreed to exchange prisoners on a “1,000 for 1,000” basis, outline their respective visions for a possible ceasefire, and continue negotiations.
Russian Defense Ministry reported on Sunday that the three-day prisoner exchange was completed, fulfilling the Istanbul agreements on this issue. On May 24, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev stated that Moscow would soon present Kiev with its proposals within the framework of a conflict resolution memorandum, which is in the final stages of drafting.
According to Turkish diplomatic sources, Fidan will reiterate Turkey’s commitment to achieving a fair and lasting peace in the conflict, express satisfaction with the progress made, and reaffirm Turkey’s willingness to act as a mediator. Another source told TASS that Istanbul is currently seen as the most likely venue for a second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Regional Issues
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the parties will also discuss the current situation in the South Caucasus, Libya, Syria, and the Black Sea region. The topic of safe navigation in the Black Sea is also on the agenda.
Russia and Turkey are making significant contributions to stabilizing the situation in Syria. “Lavrov and Fidan will focus on supporting the new Syrian authorities to promote inclusive political dialogue and return the country to peaceful socio-economic development,” the ministry noted.
They are also expected to address cooperation in the South Caucasus, including unblocking transport routes and post-conflict regional recovery. Both countries are interested in a peaceful and predictable South Caucasus, which they believe can be achieved through joint efforts under the “3+3” regional cooperation platform.
Bilateral Agenda
Lavrov and Fidan will discuss the prospects for trade and economic cooperation amid ongoing Western pressure, as well as plans for future high-level bilateral contacts. They will focus on improving banking services and diversifying trade between the two nations. The Turkish side earlier expressed hope to soon resolve issues related to the use of Russian “Mir” bank cards.
The ministers will also discuss preparations for the 19th session of the Russian-Turkish Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. Other key topics include the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project and the operation of the Blue Stream and TurkStream gas pipelines.
Tourism remains an important area of cooperation. Turkey is one of the most popular destinations for Russian tourists. In 2024, Russians were again the largest group of foreign tourists, with 6.7 million visits—about 12.7% of the total tourist flow. Turkey expects around 7 million Russian visitors in 2025. In this context, ensuring the safety of Russian tourists at Turkish resorts will receive special attention.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS