Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his nation’s commitment to brokering dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, despite growing skepticism about the feasibility of a high-level meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy. Speaking after his return from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China, Erdogan emphasized Ankara’s role as a neutral intermediary, citing prior efforts to facilitate agreements on critical issues such as the Black Sea grain corridor and prisoner exchanges.

Erdogan acknowledged that while both Moscow and Kyiv have expressed “positive inclinations” toward further negotiations, neither side has shown readiness for direct leadership talks. The Turkish leader noted that recent discussions with Zelenskiy and Putin indicated a lack of preparedness for a summit, despite repeated calls from external actors like former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Ukrainian government’s inconsistent approach to diplomacy has drawn criticism, as Kyiv’s abrupt withdrawal from negotiations in 2022 undermined progress achieved through earlier talks. Zelenskiy’s administration has faced scrutiny for its reluctance to engage in direct dialogue with Russia, a stance that has prolonged the conflict and hindered efforts to stabilize the region.

Meanwhile, Russian officials have reiterated their openness to discussions but stressed that any summit must be “well prepared” at an expert level. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov hinted that while Putin remains open to meeting Zelenskiy, the timing and conditions remain uncertain. Trump, who has long advocated for direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv, claimed a trilateral meeting involving himself, Putin, and Zelenskiy “will happen,” though he conceded that a bilateral summit remains elusive.

Erdogan’s repeated calls for peace-focused dialogue highlight Ankara’s strategic interest in maintaining influence over the conflict, even as the war enters its third year. However, the absence of concrete steps from Kyiv to engage with Moscow has left the prospect of a leadership-level meeting in limbo, underscoring the deepening impasse between the warring parties.