Türkiye: The Key to Resolving Global Crises
Türkiye: The Key to Resolving Global Crises
Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has in recent years conducted wide-ranging mediation activities—from the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Caucasus to tensions in the Middle East and disputes in Asia and Africa.
Through its active diplomacy on the international stage, Turkey is accelerating efforts to become a guarantor of peace and stability in conflict zones.
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday proposed resuming peace negotiations in Istanbul on May 15, stating, "We propose that direct negotiations, especially unconditionally, resume without delay at the point where they were previously interrupted—on Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul."
Putin also noted that President Erdoğan has done a great deal to organize negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, saying he would speak with Erdoğan and request an opportunity to hold the talks in Turkey.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump supported Russia’s proposal for talks in Istanbul, saying, “Ukraine should accept this immediately.”
Shortly afterward, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized their expectation of a full and lasting ceasefire starting the next day, adding, “I will be waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday.”
The potential negotiations in Istanbul, spurred by Trump’s involvement and pressure to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, are gaining significance. Trump stated that the talks could help determine “whether at least an agreement is possible,” and if not, European leaders and the U.S. would proceed accordingly—highlighting the critical nature of the Istanbul talks.
These developments mark a significant turning point in affirming Turkey's role as an international mediator, as the country has been in continuous contact with both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict since the outset.
Turkey’s Critical Role in the Russia-Ukraine War
Turkey has played a key mediating role in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, maintaining constant communication with both sides and intensifying its diplomatic efforts.
As part of its mediation efforts, Turkey hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and then-Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on March 10, 2022, during the 2nd Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
Thanks to Turkey’s intense diplomatic efforts, delegations from both countries also met in Istanbul in 2022, culminating in the signing of the “Black Sea Grain Initiative” on July 22, 2022.
President Erdoğan became the only NATO leader to visit both countries after the war began, including a visit to Lviv on August 18, 2022.
Additionally, Turkey facilitated a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on September 22, 2022.
Turkey continued its mediation efforts in prisoner exchanges, and in August 2024, carried out one of the largest such operations in recent years involving the U.S., Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia, and Belarus—coordinated by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT). This was recorded as the most comprehensive hostage exchange between the U.S., Russia, and Germany in recent times.
Turkey’s Diplomatic Success in the “Somaliland Crisis”
The long-standing crisis between Ethiopia and Somalia over Somaliland has entered a resolution phase through Turkey’s mediation.
On December 11, 2024, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met in Ankara, hosted by President Erdoğan, and reached a consensus to resolve the nearly year-long dispute.
The Ethiopia-Somalia Ankara Declaration noted that both parties agreed to abandon disagreements and contentious issues and to advance toward mutual prosperity. They also decided to begin technical negotiations facilitated by Turkey and to conclude the process quickly.
The parties affirmed their respect for Somalia’s territorial integrity while acknowledging potential benefits Ethiopia could gain from secure access to the sea. With Turkey’s mediation, a problem that began between two neighboring countries and escalated into a regional crisis has begun to find a solution.
Turkey Offers Mediation in Sudan
Maintaining its key role in resolving international disputes, Turkey has recently offered to mediate the conflict between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
On December 13, 2024, President Erdoğan spoke with Sudan’s Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan by phone, offering to mediate tensions with the UAE.
Recalling that Turkey initiated the Ankara Process for resolving the Ethiopia-Somalia dispute, Erdoğan noted that Turkey could also step in to resolve disagreements between Sudan and the UAE. He emphasized that ensuring peace and stability in Sudan, safeguarding its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and preventing it from becoming a zone of external intervention are core priorities for Turkey.
Turkey’s Peace Efforts from Asia to Africa
Playing an active role in managing processes among friendly nations, Turkey is providing support for crisis management and conflict resolution in various regions during a time when international institutions and multilateral diplomacy are under strain.
With the trilateral cooperation mechanism initiated with Afghanistan and Pakistan and the "Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process" built on regional ownership, Turkey aims to ensure security, prosperity, stability, and peace in the region. In 2021, Turkey called on the parties to commit to an inclusive and negotiated settlement to establish the peace desired by the region and the international community.
In Africa, Turkey initiated efforts to foster trust between Sudan and South Sudan through joint economic projects. In South Asia, Turkey accepted the call to mediate between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
As one of the countries mediating the peace process in the southern Philippines, Turkey played a crucial role in promoting stability in the region.
Turkey has also supported negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program, advocating for a peaceful and dialogue-based resolution to the issue.
Türkiye Also Plays an Important Role in Peace in the Balkans
Established in 2010, the Turkey-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Croatia Trilateral Consultation Mechanism contributes to enhancing cooperation in the Balkans, regional stability, and regional development through concrete projects, based on the understanding of finding regional solutions to regional problems. The latest meeting was held under Turkey’s auspices on April 12, 2025, as part of the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF).
As a member of the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey actively engages in bilateral, regional, and multilateral platforms to help maintain and reinforce peace and stability in the country.
Turkey is also the largest non-EU contributor of troops to the EU-led peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, known as EUFOR Althea. Additionally, through the Turkey-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Serbia Trilateral Consultation Mechanism, Turkey continues to contribute to stability in the Balkans.
Turkey Also Utilizes Multilateral Mechanisms in Mediation
In addition to its pioneering role in international peace mediation efforts, Turkey co-chairs the Group of Friends of Mediation, which it helped establish within the frameworks of the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
On September 24, 2010, Turkey and Finland launched the “Mediation for Peace” initiative within the UN in New York. The most recent meeting under this initiative was the 14th Ministerial Meeting of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation, held in September 2024 at the Turkish House (Türkevi) in New York under the co-chairmanship of Finland.
At this stage, the “Mediation for Peace” initiative has attracted significant attention from the international community, growing its membership to 62, including 54 countries and 8 international and regional organizations, including the UN.
Moreover, through the Istanbul Mediation Conferences and the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Turkey plays a significant role in shaping both the institutional and practical frameworks of mediation.
The 8th Istanbul Mediation Conference was held on March 10, 2022, ahead of the Second Antalya Diplomacy Forum, under the theme “Highlighting Mediation in a Changing Peace Environment.”