Erdogan Seeks Russia-Ukraine Leaders Summit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday that his country is actively working to revive stalled negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, with the goal of convening leaders from both sides to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The statement came during a meeting in Ankara with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, amid Ukraine's request for Turkey to host such a summit.

Erdogan emphasized Turkey's commitment to ending the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. "We were engaged, as Turkey, for the Ukraine-Russia war to end with peace, and that we are working to revive negotiations and start talks at leaders' level," the Turkish presidency quoted him as telling Rutte. The two leaders discussed maintaining strong transatlantic ties, though Erdogan urged European NATO allies to shoulder more responsibility for security in the region.

The Turkish leader also held a phone call with German Chancellor Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the same day, briefing him on Ankara's diplomatic initiatives. Erdogan highlighted the need for world powers to adopt peace-oriented approaches, noting that escalating tensions, including those involving...