Rejection from the Kremlin to President Erdogan's mediation offer: No, this is impossible.

The President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly offered to mediate on the Ukraine issue to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, yesterday, within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

According to the statement made by the Presidency, Erdogan conveyed that a peace acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine is possible and expressed their willingness to mediate. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to the question from the press regarding whether Erdogan would mediate by saying, "No, this is impossible." The Russian Tass news agency did not provide details about the reasons for Kremlin's objection.

GRAIN CORRIDOR AGREEMENT REMAINED IN EFFECT FOR 1 YEAR

Turkey had undertaken the mediation role in the signing of the Grain Corridor Agreement, which remained in effect for about 1 year between Russia and Ukraine after the war that started in February 2022. Peace talks were also held in Turkey between the two countries, but the efforts were inconclusive.

UNITY MESSAGE FROM TWO LEADERS

Meanwhile, the two leaders appeared in front of the cameras after the meeting in Astana and delivered a message of unity. President Erdogan expressed their desire to put Akkuyu into operation as soon as possible, while Putin stated, "Despite all the difficulties, the relations between Russia and Turkey are developing and progressing step by step. We are in constant contact."