Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
Ankara, Turkey – November 19, 2025: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday, marking a significant effort to enhance peace initiatives regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia. He asserted that concluding the war “with all our strength” is Ukraine’s foremost aim while also prioritizing the revival of prisoner exchanges.
This meeting, held in Turkey's capital, occurs amidst increasing Russian offensives against Ukraine, notably near the eastern city of Pokrovsk. Zelensky’s diplomatic endeavors form part of a broader European tour aimed at securing vital political, military, and economic backing for Kyiv. He has also visited Athens for a gas agreement, met in Paris to discuss the acquisition of up to 100 fighter jets, and engaged with Spanish arms manufacturers in Madrid.
Turkey, balancing its relationships with both Kyiv and Moscow, has previously facilitated peace negotiations. No Russian representatives were expected at Wednesday’s dialogue. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that although Russian President Vladimir Putin is “open to dialogue,” no specific meetings with Turkey or US special envoy Steve Witkoff were currently planned.
Zelensky’s visit is also set against a backdrop of political unrest within Ukraine, with several of his close associates under investigation for their involvement in a large-scale criminal operation, and two ministers having recently resigned. These developments could impact Ukraine's credibility ahead of the EU's December decision concerning a €140 billion loan tied to frozen Russian assets, which hinges on demonstrating enhanced anti-corruption measures.
The meetings in Ankara further highlight the ongoing impasse in negotiations with Russia. Moscow continues to demand conditions unacceptable to Ukraine, including complete withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, alongside abandoning NATO aspirations. Zelensky has staunchly opposed these conditions, arguing that ceding the Donbas would jeopardize Ukraine's future security.
Previous US mediations, involving discussions among Trump, Putin, and US envoy Witkoff, have faltered. Ongoing confidential communications between Witkoff and Putin's envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Washington illustrate that behind-the-scenes diplomacy persists, although a resolution remains elusive.
As the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion nears in February 2026, global observers are closely monitoring Zelensky’s diplomatic efforts. The meeting with Erdogan in Ankara is viewed as a crucial opportunity to strengthen European backing, enhance Ukraine’s negotiating stance, and investigate alternatives for peace while minimizing human and infrastructure losses.
With tremendous pressure evident both domestically and internationally, the discussions with Turkey could play a central role in shaping the future of conflict resolution.
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