Erdogan to Speak with Putin on Monday: Key Move for Ukraine Peace Talks

Erdogan Announces Monday Call with Putin — A New Step Toward Ukraine Peace Talks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin via phone on Monday. The discussion will focus on potential peace efforts in the Ukraine war and the restoration of the “Black Sea Grain Deal” to ensure safe export of Ukrainian grain.

President Erdogan made the announcement following the G20 summit in South Africa, during a press conference, stating, “We will do everything necessary to pave the way for peace.” He emphasized that Turkey is committed to playing a constructive role in international diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.

According to Erdogan, the Black Sea Grain Deal, mediated by Turkey and the UN in 2022, was not only intended to secure grain exports but also to serve as a diplomatic pathway toward broader peace negotiations. In his call with Putin, Erdogan is expected to push for the deal’s reinstatement and urge Russia to actively facilitate its implementation.

Erdogan further stressed that the outcomes of the call would be communicated to global leaders, particularly European and U.S. allies, to maintain transparency and coordination in ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The call comes at a critical time when the international community is exploring new diplomatic avenues to end the Ukraine war. Turkey has maintained a careful balance: supporting Ukraine diplomatically while maintaining active diplomatic and economic relations with Russia.

Analysts see Erdogan’s planned call as a potentially significant step. Turkey has hosted peace talks in the past, and Erdogan has repeatedly expressed his intention to make Turkey a central hub for Ukraine-related negotiations.

However, opinions differ on the call’s potential outcomes:

Some analysts view it as a genuine diplomatic effort that could contribute to conflict resolution and a path toward ceasefire.

Others argue that the fundamental differences between Russia and Ukraine are too deep for a single phone call to achieve long-term peace.

Critics also suggest that Erdogan may be seeking to enhance Turkey’s image internationally as a peace mediator, even if immediate results are limited.

Ultimately, Erdogan’s decision to speak with Putin keeps alive hopes for renewed negotiations in the Ukraine war. Whether this call will lead to the reinstatement of the Black Sea Grain Deal and make a meaningful difference in ending the conflict remains to be seen, but it marks a key diplomatic initiative in ongoing efforts to stabilize the region.