Minister Fidan: The Only Leader Trusted by Erdoğan, Trump, Putin, and Zelensky

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, commenting on the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, said: “Our expectation is that another round will follow. Both sides recognize the benefit of coming together.”

Fidan emphasized that Turkey’s stance has remained unchanged since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine War, stating that Turkey does not want a war in the region. He described the war as one that has resulted in over a million deaths and injuries, the destruction of major cities, and the paralysis of the regional economy.

Pointing out that the war is entering its fourth year, Fidan said: “This is not just a war between two countries. The countries backing them have taken sides, and it is turning into a more global war. That’s why we have been pushing for a ceasefire from the beginning—because this is not just their war, but one that could spread globally due to those standing behind them.”

He highlighted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s repeated calls for peace and reminded of Turkey’s initiatives such as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the March 2022 negotiations, and prisoner exchanges.

Fidan mentioned that a ceasefire call came with the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump and that both sides expressed their intentions. Turkey initiated mediation efforts, using its experience, and hosted the first round of talks on May 16 in Istanbul.

He noted that during the May 16 talks, an agreement was reached on prisoner exchange, and both parties committed to working on ceasefire conditions and explored the possibility of a leaders' summit.

Recalling his high-level meetings during visits to Moscow and Kyiv, Fidan said Turkey has been working on outlining a process toward achieving a ceasefire and peace.

He added that the latest meeting was conducted in a positive atmosphere, both sides were well-prepared, and a decision on a new prisoner exchange was made, possibly involving more than 1,000 individuals.

Documents regarding the ceasefire conditions were submitted by both Russia and Ukraine, and their perspectives on a possible leaders' summit were shared. He said both sides agreed to meet again.

“Our expectation is that another round will take place”

Commenting on the potential next round of talks, Fidan reiterated: “Our expectation is that another round will take place. Both sides see value in meeting.”

He emphasized that the talks were productive and not contentious, saying: “Given the current conditions and the psychological atmosphere shaped by the war, it was the best possible meeting. The important thing is not to abandon the table and to maintain the stance toward ceasefire and peace. That’s our advice to both sides. It doesn’t matter if the talks are held in Turkey or elsewhere, what matters is that they keep talking.”

“There is no other name that all three leaders trust”

Addressing the possibility of a leaders' summit being hosted in Turkey, Fidan said that President Erdoğan would be pleased to host such a meeting and emphasized: “There is no other name recognized, trusted, and respected by all three leaders at once. While a location can be arranged, in terms of political leadership and global stature, no one else matches President Erdoğan’s credibility, experience, and institutional professionalism.”

He noted that Erdoğan has conveyed his readiness to host such a meeting during visits to Kyiv and Moscow and said that certain results and preparations need to be completed beforehand.

Referring to upcoming meetings, Fidan said: “If Russia and Ukraine meet a few more times and progress is made, a leaders' summit will be inevitable.”

Fidan evaluated various approaches to the war, highlighting a global resistance to recognizing Russia's strategic posture and its rise as an alternative hegemonic force.

He mentioned that the military and financial aid to Ukraine initiated during the Biden administration is nearing its end, and with Trump potentially returning to office, a new phase in the war could begin. Fidan noted he had phone calls with Trump’s Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding Russia, Ukraine, Iran, and Gaza.

Fidan shared that Turkey discussed the outcomes of the last two Russia-Ukraine meetings with Rubio, who in return shared U.S. perspectives, indicating continued cooperation.

Lifting Sanctions on Syria

In response to a question about how lifting sanctions on Syria might shape the country’s new era, Fidan emphasized that post-Assad Syria is a country that has been “destroyed, devastated, leveled to the ground, and cut off from the world.”

He said: “Now, rehabilitating a neighboring country with such deep wounds and vulnerability to infection requires a highly professional, coordinated, and multi-stakeholder approach—politically, economically, and in terms of security.”

Fidan noted that many meetings have been held in Ankara on this issue, along with discussions involving both regional and non-regional countries.

He stressed the significance of President Erdoğan’s diplomatic efforts and stated that the benefits of lifting sanctions on Syria are already beginning to be observed.

He pointed to developments in areas such as the international banking system, investments, basic services, and the economy in Syria under the new administration. He also mentioned a major energy tender held a few days ago with participation from U.S., Qatari, Syrian, and Turkish companies.

Fidan continued by expressing Turkey’s expectations:

“Our expectation going forward is the reconstruction of the country, the revival of infrastructure, the delivery of basic services, and the return of displaced Syrian brothers and sisters to their homeland. As they return, the population grows, the economy is revitalized, and—God willing—we will enjoy the presence of a truly normal Syria next door, where life has returned to normal.”

Integration of Northeastern Syria

Asked about the current situation on the ground following the Integration Agreement signed on March 10 between the terrorist organization PKK/YPG (which operates under the name SDF) and the Syrian government, Fidan responded: “In practice, not much has happened since the agreement in March. But behind the scenes, a lot is going on.”

He said that this trilateral dynamic—encouraged by U.S. efforts, Syrian state-building steps, and developments in Turkey—is becoming increasingly coordinated. Fidan stated: “We are heading toward a solution. We hope to achieve a common perspective among Damascus, Ankara, and Washington to overcome this menace in a smooth manner.”

“We have begun to take concrete steps” (Anti-ISIS Mechanism)

Fidan addressed the mechanism established among Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon to combat the terrorist organization ISIS (Daesh), saying: “We have started to take concrete steps here.”

He noted that a few weeks ago, they brought the foreign ministers of Jordan and Syria to Ankara and made a fundamental decision to activate an Intelligence and Operations Cell with military and intelligence teams, setting a date for its establishment.

He said: “Teams from Jordan, Syria, and Turkey have launched the Counter-ISIS Cell. This is a significant step for regional security.”

Fidan emphasized: “We must take the ‘Daesh card’ out of the organization’s hands and prevent it from blackmailing the international community.”

He underlined the need for intense, specialized work and stated that two main issues are being addressed: camps and prisons.

He said there are over 40,000 people in camps and that efforts are underway with the Iraqi and Syrian governments to evacuate these camps.

Fidan noted: “The UN is now involved. The Americans have proposed managing the camps until they’re emptied. There’s also the issue of these camp regions returning to Syrian government control and ongoing work regarding the prisons. The key is establishing professional, multi-national teams that consistently work on this issue backed by political will. If that’s done, progress will be made.”

He expressed hope that coordination among the U.S., Syria, Turkey, and Iraq will lead to results, acknowledging that coordination is taking time as it’s the first effort of its kind. He confirmed that Turkey continues its work with the full engagement of state institutions.

“Our main issue was not with the U.S. presence, but with its partnership with the PKK”

Asked about the latest developments regarding the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, Fidan said: “Our core issue was not the U.S. presence itself. The U.S. has a presence in many regions. Our main problem was its cooperation with the PKK and the support provided. We want that support to end.”

He emphasized: “What mattered to us was ending this area of cooperation.”

On regional cooperation in the “Terror-Free Turkey” initiative, Fidan explained that the involvement of neighboring countries requires careful and precise planning.

He stated: “This process must be well monitored and analyzed. In foreign policy, our language must be focused on our goals. We are working on developing such a focused discourse.”

**Ceasefire in Gaza**

When asked whether a ceasefire in Gaza was expected, Fidan said: “As long as the issue of hostages and their release remains on the table, a ceasefire can be brought up in some form.”

However, he emphasized that if fighting resumes after the hostages are released, it would serve no one’s interests.

Fidan said in his meeting today with Donald Trump’s Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, that a 60-day ceasefire, accompanied by intensified U.S. focus and pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, could allow uninterrupted humanitarian aid and pave the way for a permanent ceasefire.

He noted that Turkey continues to engage with Palestine, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States on this matter, adding: “Mr. Witkoff is truly focused on this. I genuinely appreciate his dedication and efforts. He really wants a ceasefire. Today we also got a sense of how he has been briefing President Trump on this issue. These are significant developments.”

**“In the OIC, Gaza will be our number one topic”**

When asked what would be discussed at this month’s Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Istanbul, Fidan said: “The issue of Gaza and Palestine will be our number one topic. It’s what we will discuss the most. We need to focus on what more can be done beyond what we’ve done so far.”

Fidan added that this meeting would follow an important session in New York led jointly by France and Saudi Arabia. He stated: “Netanyahu’s cruelty has reached such an extent that even countries that once supported Israel—France, the UK, and others—are now distancing themselves. They are doing everything they can to avoid being seen as complicit in this historic genocide.”

He continued: “One of the outcomes of Israel’s genocide policy under the Biden administration—with U.S. support—is that Israel and its backers are losing all their previously held international legitimacy. The blood of the martyrs has swept away their legitimacy like an ocean.”

Fidan called on the international community to take all necessary steps, stating: “There are many crises similar to the Palestinian issue around the world—Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, and others—but this is the issue we’ve invested the most time and effort in.”

He acknowledged it was difficult to predict whether the U.S. would withdraw its support for Israel but said that European countries are beginning to take serious steps to shift their positions.

Fidan noted that the European Union (EU), which often claims moral authority, has squandered all its credibility on the Palestinian issue.

**“Europe is distancing itself from Netanyahu”**

He warned that the international system may be shifting toward a power-based order and noted that the EU may not be able to keep up in such a scenario.

He added: “We needed a Europe that defended basic principles and values, even if it couldn’t change the world. For years, we could only work with a few European countries on this. Now, one by one, they are seeing Netanyahu for who he is—bloodthirsty and deranged—and are distancing themselves. No one wants to pay the political cost.”

Fidan stated that the U.S. has positioned itself as Israel’s patron and that this is deeply embedded in its political and bureaucratic systems. He noted that Israel has become a key benchmark in terms of making progress within that system.

**Turkey-U.S. Relations**

Fidan indicated that Turkey-U.S. relations could improve if efforts continue in good faith, noting that the primary problem lies in Syria-related issues and that lifting sanctions on Syria is of utmost importance.

He mentioned ongoing work regarding the U.S. law known as CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) and said that the U.S. is trying to find a constructive path forward, with legal teams involved.

Fidan shared that positive signals have been received concerning advancing bilateral trade and economy, including the export of previously restricted military spare parts and key components.

He emphasized that overall relations are improving and that joint mechanisms continue to operate. Preparations for President Erdoğan’s possible visit to Washington are also underway with U.S. counterparts.