Türkiye Offers to Host New Round of Russia–Ukraine Talks, Fidan Says in Moscow

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said he delivered greetings from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow, Orda.kz reports, citing RBK.

Fidan met with the Russian President on May 26 and also held talks with Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, who led the Russian side during negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul earlier this month.

Fidan stated that Türkiye discussed topics "sensitive" to Erdoğan and offered to host another round of talks between Russia and Ukraine. He pointed out that the latest prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kyiv had also been arranged in Istanbul.

Fidan plans to travel to Kyiv next, according to Reuters.

Against that backdrop, Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, has expressed gratitude to Türkiye for supporting direct Russia-Ukraine talks and for offering to host future negotiations.

Speaking after meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, in Moscow, Lavrov said Türkiye's role in facilitating the May 16 talks in Istanbul — initiated after a call between Presidents Putin and Trump — was appreciated.

Lavrov confirmed Russia's willingness to hold further talks in Istanbul and emphasized that resolving the Ukraine conflict requires addressing its root causes.

He criticized Ukraine for allegedly failing to honor past agreements and accused Western allies of encouraging Kyiv's resistance. Lavrov also claimed EU leaders were trying to derail peace efforts out of fear that an end to the war would damage their political careers.

Lavrov dismissed reports of U.S. attempts to replace Russia's lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, calling such speculation unfounded. He reaffirmed that President Putin alone decides who represents Russia in negotiations.

Responding to recent attacks, Lavrov defended Russian strikes on Ukraine as “justified retaliation” and claimed they were only aimed at military targets. He also said Russia observed a one-month pause in attacks on energy infrastructure following a ceasefire initiative proposed by Donald Trump.

Lavrov concluded by accusing European governments of misleading their citizens and prioritizing anti-Russian agendas over public welfare.

Meanwhile, reports previously emerged that a new round of negotiations could be held in June, with the Vatican being considered as a possible location. Russia has not confirmed a date and voiced "discomfort" with holding talks “on a Catholic platform” between two predominantly Orthodox nations.

If chosen, the European nations would need to make exceptions for Russian officials to travel via EU airspace. Recently, Russia’s Culture Minister was said to have been unable to attend the enthronement of Pope Leo XIV due to "unresolved flight logistics."

Moscow is considering Türkiye, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman as possible hosts for future negotiations.