17.05.2025 17:54
In the peace negotiations held in Istanbul between Ukraine and Russia, hosted by Turkey, Turkey's diplomatic role received significant coverage in the world press; meanwhile, the Greek media's statements that "Erdogan is becoming a regional player" drew attention.
Turkey's diplomatic role in the peace negotiations held in Istanbul between Ukraine and Russia, hosted by Turkey, received extensive coverage in the world press.
The historic summit between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey was widely reported in the world media. The British broadcaster BBC noted in its report on the negotiations in Istanbul that Ukraine and Russia came together in Istanbul with the encouragement of Turkey and the USA.
AL JAZEERA: TURKEY HAS BECOME A SENSITIVE BALANCE ELEMENT
In Al Jazeera's report on the negotiations, experts commented that "Turkey's central role in the process is a victory." The report emphasized that Turkey has become an important diplomatic player in the last 15 years, stating that "(Turkey) has been an extremely sensitive balance element between the parties in the Russia-Ukraine war."
The report included a statement from Ziya Meral of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in the UK, saying, "Ankara's ability to engage with both the USA and Russia as well as Ukraine is indeed a diplomatic success."
GREEK PRESS PRAISES TURKEY
The Greek newspaper "Liberal" reported the Istanbul negotiations under the headline "Erdogan is becoming a regional player, and Athens is facing a new scenario." The report stated that with Donald Trump becoming President of the USA again, Turkey seized the opportunity to improve US-Turkey relations and take on a "peace-making" role, noting that "the Ukraine-Russia talks have brought Istanbul to the center of global diplomacy."
The report also pointed out that nuclear talks between Europe and Iran were hosted by Turkey in Istanbul, and that the NATO Foreign Ministers' Informal Meeting was held in Antalya.
In a column titled "Turkey in the center, Greece nowhere" published in the Greek newspaper Ta Nea, the visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Italy last week was criticized, noting that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who visited Italy before Mitsotakis, gained advantages in many areas, especially in defense industry.
AZERBAIJAN MEDIA: TURKEY AS A GLOBAL MEDIATOR
The Azerbaijan-based media outlet Caliber viewed the peace talks under the headline "Turkey's expanding role as a global mediator."
The report stated, "Turkey's increasing influence as an international mediator was once again highlighted as delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the USA gathered in Istanbul for potentially enormous peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war."
The report mentioned Turkey's neutrality on the issue and "the personal diplomacy of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is the only NATO leader to visit both Ukraine and Russia during the war," emphasizing that these factors strengthened the country's status as a reliable mediator.
The Azerbaijan-based newspaper Azernews also evaluated the talks in a report titled "Turkey emerges as a global mediator under Erdoğan's ambitious diplomacy."
NOTABLE EXPRESSIONS IN GERMAN PRESS
In a report published in the German newspaper Welt, it was stated that President Erdoğan has positioned himself as a mediator and his country as an indispensable power since the war began.
"The fact that both sides of the conflict sat down at the table in Istanbul, although expectations for results are low, is a symbolic success for Turkey," the report stated, adding that Erdoğan's stance could be described as pro-Ukrainian but not anti-Russian.
The report pointed out that Ankara supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and supplies arms to Kiev but does not participate in sanctions against Moscow, stating, "Turkey wants to have a say in reshaping Europe's security architecture in the face of the USA's ambiguous stance. Erdoğan is aware of the advantage of being one of the few states that can facilitate Russia-Ukraine talks. He wants to make Istanbul the new Geneva, crowned with a peace agreement between Kiev and Moscow."
"ERDOĞAN IS PURSUING A SUCCESSFUL BALANCE POLICY BETWEEN EAST AND WEST"
In a report titled "Poker over the Ukraine peace meeting: So far, there is only one winner" published in Berliner Morgenpost, it was emphasized that other countries such as Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Qatar are also competing for a mediating role in the Ukraine war, and that the willingness of the Ukrainian and Russian delegations to negotiate again on Turkish soil is a success.
The report recalled that President Erdoğan, whose efforts in this regard were highlighted, planned the Grain Agreement with the UN in Antalya in 2022 and has met with both Putin and Zelensky many times since the war began.
It was noted that Russia and Ukraine had previously negotiated in Istanbul, stating, "He (President Erdoğan) is pursuing a confident and successful balance policy between East and West." The report mentioned that Erdoğan participated remotely via video in a meeting between Syrian President Ahmed Shara and Trump.
"TURKEY HAS BECOME THE CENTER OF UKRAINE NEGOTIATIONS"
The French public television RTBF frequently shared updates regarding the meetings held at Dolmabahçe. Developments regarding the parties' statements were frequently broadcast, and comments on the possible outcomes of the negotiations were also included. It was noted in the broadcasts that the parties held their first direct talks in Istanbul after three years, emphasizing Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's call for an "immediate ceasefire" at the opening of the talks.
In the high-circulation French newspaper Le Soir, an article titled "War in Ukraine: Turkey at the center of the diplomatic game" stated, "President Erdoğan's country has once again become the center of Ukraine negotiations, and this situation demonstrates Turkey's dramatically increased diplomatic activity in recent years."