Istanbul Talks Spotlight Turkiye’s Role in Balancing Russia-Ukraine Relations

The recent talks in Istanbul highlighted Turkiye’s strategic balancing act between Russia and Ukraine. Although a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy did not occur, delegations negotiated a prisoner swap, marking the first direct talks since early 2022. Turkiye’s increasing diplomatic role points to its ambitions as a key player in both regional and global geopolitics.

In Istanbul, recent talks underscored Turkiye’s careful balancing act between supporting Ukraine while maintaining solid relationships with Russia. Although there were expectations that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would meet for the first time since the war’s outset, Putin ultimately did not attend. Nonetheless, both nations still dispatched delegations, optimizing discussions around a prisoner swap. This marked the first direct dialogue since the war erupted back in February 2022.

Previous discussions in 2022 had also been hosted by Turkiye, confirming its crucial role in mediating this prominent geopolitical conflict. The Istanbul meeting was significant for Turkiye which is simultaneously augmenting its influence in Syria–a context helped by the recent lifting of U.S. sanctions on the Turkish-allied government. On the domestic front, Turkiye celebrated the announcement of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) disbanding, which concludes a 40-year conflict with the Turkish state.

While a meeting between the two leaders would have been a symbolic achievement, observers still view Turkiye’s involvement itself as a diplomatic win. Ziya Meral from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) commented, “Turkiye stands to win diplomatically whichever way the talks go,” reflecting the nation’s inclination to be seen as a major negotiator in regional matters. Indeed, Ankara’s ability to engage both the U.S. and Russia marked a noteworthy diplomatic triumph.

Over the years, Turkiye has made itself known as a diplomatic heavyweight, extending its influence far beyond its borders, even boasting military involvement in the region’s conflicts, like the one in Somalia. This negotiation model, with Turkiye actively engaging despite conflicting stakes, has brought a fresh approach to international diplomacy. Omer Ozkizilcik from The Atlantic Council discussed this progressive model, stating that unlike neutral states in the past, Turkiye handles diplomacy in scenarios where it holds vested interests.

In short, the Istanbul talks showcased Turkiye’s delicate diplomacy in balancing relations with both Russia and Ukraine. While a direct meeting between presidents did not happen, the summit still represented a crucial step in continuing dialogues amid an ongoing conflict. Turkiye’s emerging stature as a negotiator in complex geopolitical environments signals its ambitions on the global stage. As both nations navigate their tumultuous ties with Turkiye facilitating talks, the potential for further diplomatic engagements remains promising.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com