Ankara (TDI): The Foreign Ministers of Russia and Türkiye discussed the situation in Syria, and the Ukraine war, among other issues of common interest.
The meeting was held after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Ankara on Monday. He met with the Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan.
Among the issues discussed were bilateral trade and energy cooperation, the current situation of Syria, the Israel-Palestine war, and US-Russia talks on ending the Ukraine conflict.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the two Ministers discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade, economic ties, and energy cooperation.
They also shared their interest in cooperation in the financial and banking sector, transport and logistics, and industrial collaboration, as well as tourism.
Moreover, the safe operation of the TurkStream and Blue Stream gas pipelines and collaboration on the construction of Akkuyu NPP was also discussed.
Read More: Turkiye Urges France to Reclaim Militants from Syria
Both Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction with the level of interaction and cooperation on Syria and agreed to increase joint efforts to “achieve settlement based on new realities.”
🇷🇺🇹🇷 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov and Türkiye’s Foreign Minister @HakanFidan hold talks
📍 Ankara, February 24#RussiaTürkiye pic.twitter.com/2XOW3K1mks
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) February 24, 2025
They also reviewed the progress of Russia and Türkiye in rebuilding infrastructure and transport links in the South Caucasus region, as underlined by the multilateral agreements signed as part of the 3+3 Regional Cooperation Platform.
They analyzed the situation of the Israel-Palestine conflict zone and reaffirmed their position on the need for immediate ceasefire and exchange of hostages as well as resumption of negotiations, based on United Nations Security Council resolutions.
They both emphasized the inherent right of the Palestinians to create an independent state, which would “coexist” with Israel in peace and security.
Furthermore, Sergey Lavrov updated his Turkish counterpart on the latest developments and resumption of diplomatic talks between Russia and the United States.
He expressed satisfaction and hoped to overcome the challenges through dialogue.
Read More: US, Russia Discuss Ties, Ukraine, Security
He also informed the Foreign Minister of Türkiye about the discussion between the United States and Russia on Ukraine and expressed satisfaction with the pragmatic approach of the parties involved in the negotiation process.
Regarding the Ukraine war, they concluded, “It will be impossible to agree on anything without a lasting and durable agreement that would eliminate the root causes of this situation.”
On Ukraine’s NATO bid, the Foreign Minister of Türkiye said that there needs to be a “realistic approach.”
Türkiye is ready to provide every support and act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, he said.
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Moreover, Sergey Lavrov also met the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
President Erdogan extended his support for mediation between Russia and Ukraine.
President @RTErdogan received Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, at the Presidential Complex. pic.twitter.com/1O4Q1B0NX4
— Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (@trpresidency) February 24, 2025
It is important to note that Türkiye has long-standing diplomatic relations with Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Erdogan had met twice last year, on the sidelines of SCO Heads of State Council meeting in Astana, and in BRICS meeting in Kazan.
The two countries also had inter-parliamentary exchanges. In September 2024, the Grand National Assembly Speaker of Türkiye, Numan Kurtulmus, paid an official visit to Moscow.
He held talks with the senior officials from the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and delivered a speech at the Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy.
