Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan believes that the full scope of Western sanctions against Russia will be a central topic in future negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. He made these remarks in an interview with Anadolu Agency.
"I think dialogue and the negotiation process could begin after the US presidential elections. After three years of war, both sides have largely developed a sense of what they can and cannot achieve [on the battlefield]. A key component of this war is the Western sanctions against Russia. Naturally, they will be on the agenda as part of one large package [of proposals], and we will see how the discussions proceed. If no solution is reached, the entire conflict will either escalate or become frozen," Fidan said. In the case of a frozen conflict, he predicted that the front lines would remain fixed, preventing either side from making further moves.
The minister noted that "markets, their strategists, and security mechanisms still reflexively view the ongoing war as temporary." However, he warned that in the coming months, the situation could lead to "critical and lasting consequences." Fidan explained that when planning for stability, major political decisions and significant financial investments are required, and if unforeseen events occur, those resources could be wasted. He pointed out that participants in the international system feel uncertain, as they cannot ensure a predictable outcome to the Ukrainian conflict.
Fidan also mentioned that some countries "see no issue with the continuation of the war, given their own geopolitical interests," and that others are benefiting from the conflict. Turkey, on the other hand, is concerned that "the format of the war, in terms of the type of weaponry used, could change."
"Turkey continues to demonstrate the political will for mediation, which remains a top priority for our president. In practice, much has already been accomplished, including quality negotiations on energy and food security through intelligence diplomacy. The sides may not always fully agree, but the work is ongoing," Fidan concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS