Erdoğan and Putin Discuss Ending Russia-Ukraine War: Türkiye's Mediation Offer

Key facts:

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on November 24.
• The two men discussed ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war, according to statements from the Turkish President's office and the Kremlin press service.
• Erdoğan said Türkiye will continue its efforts to end the war by establishing a just and lasting peace.
• He said Ankara is ready, as in the past, to support all diplomatic initiatives and plans that promote direct contacts between the parties and pave the way for lasting peace.
• The Kremlin said the conversation covered bilateral cooperation, including expansion of trade and investment ties and implementation of joint energy projects.
• Moscow said the leaders exchanged views on the situation around Ukraine.
• Putin claimed that American proposals for a possible peaceful settlement were in line with discussions during a Russian-American meeting in Alaska and could form the basis for a final settlement.
• Putin stated the Kremlin's interest in a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict.
• Erdoğan expressed willingness to facilitate the negotiation process and continue providing Istanbul as a venue for meetings.
• The leaders agreed to intensify contacts on the Ukrainian issue at various levels and to maintain regular dialogue.
• It was not specified whether Putin and Erdoğan discussed the resumption of the grain corridor, which the Turkish leader had announced.
• Earlier, Erdoğan said he intended to inform Putin about the results of his talks with European leaders and President Trump, and later share the results of his conversation with Putin with European and American leaders.

Türkiye's statement: Ankara ready to mediate

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on November 24. According to the Turkish President's office, the main topic was ending the war in Ukraine. Erdoğan said that Türkiye will continue its efforts to end the Russian-Ukrainian war by establishing a just and lasting peace. He also noted that Ankara is ready, as in the past, to support all diplomatic initiatives and plans that will promote direct contacts between the parties and pave the way for lasting peace.

The Turkish readout placed mediation and peace diplomacy at the center of the call. It did not offer a detailed roadmap, but it reaffirmed Ankara's long-standing position that the war should be ended through negotiations rather than continued fighting. Türkiye has repeatedly presented itself as one of the few actors that can speak to both Moscow and Kyiv, and Erdoğan's language on this call followed that pattern. The statement emphasized direct contacts between the parties, a phrase that suggests Ankara is willing to host or facilitate another round of talks if both sides agree.

Ankara's offer is not new. Since the early months of the full-scale invasion, Türkiye has tried to position itself as a mediator. It hosted talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul in 2022, helped negotiate the Black Sea grain initiative, and has been involved in prisoner exchanges. Those efforts have had mixed results, but they have kept Türkiye visible as a diplomatic player. The November 24 call appears to be another attempt to keep that channel open.

Kremlin's version: trade, energy and Ukraine

The Kremlin also released its own version of the conversation, and the emphasis was different. Moscow said the leaders discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation, in particular the further expansion of trade and investment ties and the implementation of joint energy projects. According to the Kremlin, there was also an exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine.

This framing is typical of Russian readouts, which often foreground bilateral economic cooperation and treat the war as one item on a broader agenda. The mention of trade and investment ties points to the continuing economic relationship between Türkiye and Russia, despite the war and Western sanctions. Energy projects are especially important. Russia remains a major supplier of natural gas to Türkiye, and the two countries have cooperated on projects such as TurkStream and the Akkuyu nuclear power plant. For Moscow, keeping those ties alive is a way to show that it is not isolated. For Ankara, the relationship is a source of energy security and economic benefit, even as it maintains ties with Ukraine and NATO.

The Kremlin said Putin stated the Kremlin's interest in a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict. That phrasing has been used before by Moscow, often alongside conditions that Ukraine and its Western partners reject. The Russian statement did not indicate any change in Moscow's core demands. It also did not suggest that Russia had agreed to a ceasefire or to withdraw troops. Instead, it presented the call as part of ongoing contacts rather than a breakthrough.

Putin's claim about US proposals and Alaska talks

According to the Kremlin, Putin said that American proposals for a possible peaceful settlement were allegedly in line with discussions during a Russian-American meeting in Alaska and could form the basis for a final settlement. This claim is significant because it links the current diplomatic track to earlier contacts between Moscow and Washington. The reference to Alaska is unusual, but it appears in the Russian readout as a way to suggest continuity between past and present talks.

The Kremlin's account should be treated with caution. It is a version of events released by Moscow, and it may be intended to shape perceptions rather than reflect a concrete agreement. The statement did not provide details of the American proposals, nor did it explain what exactly was discussed in Alaska. It also did not say whether Ukraine had been consulted or whether Kyiv supported the ideas being described. Putin's assertion that the proposals could form the basis for a final settlement is therefore a political message as much as a diplomatic one. It suggests that Moscow wants to present itself as open to a deal, while keeping the terms vague.

Ukraine and its allies have consistently said that any settlement must respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They have rejected proposals that would freeze the conflict in a way that rewards Russian aggression. The Kremlin's language about a political and diplomatic solution does not necessarily mean it has moved toward that position. It may simply be a way to engage with actors such as Türkiye and the United States while continuing the war on the ground.

Istanbul as a venue and the grain corridor question

The Kremlin statement also noted that Erdoğan expressed his willingness to facilitate the negotiation process and continue to provide Istanbul as a venue for meetings. That offer is consistent with Türkiye's earlier role. Istanbul hosted direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in March 2022, and Ankara has repeatedly said it is ready to host another round. For Erdoğan, hosting talks would reinforce Türkiye's international standing and its claim to be a bridge between Europe and the wider region.

It is not specified whether Putin and Erdoğan discussed the resumption of the grain corridor, as announced by the Turkish leader. The grain corridor was a major diplomatic achievement when it was first agreed in 2022, allowing Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea despite the war. Russia later withdrew from the deal, and efforts to revive it have been complicated. Türkiye has been one of the main advocates for restarting shipments, and Erdoğan had previously said the issue could be on the agenda. The absence of a clear mention in the readouts leaves open the question of whether progress was made.

The grain issue matters beyond Ukraine. Many countries in Africa and the Middle East depend on Ukrainian grain, and disruptions have contributed to higher food prices. Türkiye has framed the corridor as a humanitarian and economic necessity. If Ankara can help broker a renewed arrangement, it would strengthen its mediator credentials. But Russia has its own conditions, and any deal would require coordination with Ukraine and international partners.

Background: Türkiye's balancing act

Türkiye's position in the Russia-Ukraine war is often described as a balancing act. It is a NATO member and has supplied Ukraine with drones and other support, while refusing to join Western sanctions on Russia. It has closed the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits to some warships under the Montreux Convention, a move that limits Russian naval reinforcements, but it has not cut off economic ties with Moscow. This dual approach has frustrated some allies and impressed others. It has also given Türkiye a unique set of channels to both sides.

Erdoğan has personal relationships with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He has met each leader multiple times and has spoken by phone with them throughout the war. In 2022, he helped broker the grain deal and a prisoner exchange that included commanders from the Azovstal steel plant. In 2023 and 2024, he continued to call for peace talks while also discussing energy and trade with Moscow. The November 24 call fits into that longer pattern. It is not an isolated event but part of a sustained Turkish effort to remain relevant in a conflict that has reshaped European security.

Domestic factors also play a role. Türkiye's economy has struggled with inflation and currency pressure, and Erdoğan has sought to maintain stable trade and energy flows with Russia. Russian tourists are a major source of revenue for Türkiye's tourism sector. Russian gas is important for Turkish industry and households. At the same time, Ankara wants to maintain good relations with the United States and the European Union, especially as it seeks to modernize its F-16 fleet and deepen defense cooperation. Mediation in Ukraine is one way to balance these competing interests.

What Erdoğan planned to share with European and American leaders

Earlier, Erdoğan announced a conversation with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. It was reported that the parties were to discuss ways to achieve peace in Ukraine and the possible renewal of the grain agreement. Erdoğan said he intended to inform Putin about the results of his talks with European leaders and President Trump. He also said he would share the results of his conversation with the Russian leader with European and American leaders.

This shuttle diplomacy is central to Türkiye's approach. By speaking to Moscow, Kyiv, European capitals, and Washington, Erdoğan tries to position himself as a communicator who can keep channels open. The reference to President Trump adds another layer. If the United States is pursuing its own diplomatic initiative, Türkiye may want to ensure it is not left out of the process. It may also want to act as a bridge between the US and Russia, especially if direct contacts between Washington and Moscow remain limited.

The Turkish leader's willingness to share information with both sides suggests that he sees the call not as an end in itself but as part of a wider diplomatic effort. Whether that effort produces results is unclear. The war continues, and the gaps between Russia and Ukraine remain wide. But the call shows that Türkiye intends to stay involved.

Why the call matters

The November 24 conversation matters because it keeps multiple diplomatic tracks alive. It shows that Russia and Türkiye continue to talk at the highest level, despite the war. It shows that Türkiye is still offering itself as a mediator and a venue. It also shows that the Kremlin wants to present itself as open to a political solution, even as its forces continue to fight. The Turkish statement focuses on a just and lasting peace, while the Kremlin statement focuses on bilateral cooperation and vague references to American proposals. Those differences in emphasis are important. They indicate that the two sides are not necessarily aligned on what a settlement would look like.

The call also highlights the role of the grain corridor and the broader Black Sea region. If Türkiye can help restart grain shipments, it would be a concrete achievement. If it can host talks, it would raise its profile. But both outcomes depend on Russia and Ukraine, and neither has shown a willingness to make the concessions that a comprehensive peace would require. For now, the call is another sign that Ankara intends to remain a diplomatic actor in the war, even as the fighting continues and the prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain.

The leaders agreed to intensify contacts on the Ukrainian issue at various levels and to maintain regular dialogue. That line is a modest but meaningful outcome. It means the channel remains open. It does not mean peace is imminent. It does mean that Türkiye's role as a mediator, venue, and communicator is likely to continue.

Source:MSN News