According to Fidan, for three to four years there were forces that did not want the war to end, but even they are now beginning to change their position.
“There were such forces, and therefore the war lasted three to four years. But now even those who did not want it to end are beginning to think differently,” the minister said.
He noted that the war had become a war of attrition, with no one truly winning and both sides suffering enormous human, financial and political losses.
The minister emphasized that Europe is not formally at war, but its financial and military support is part of the conflict, and the costs of war fall on the educational, medical and infrastructure sectors, causing increased taxes and social discontent.
Fidan expressed confidence that diplomatic efforts remain paramount, and a peace platform can be created, including in Turkey.
“We believe that a peace platform will be created. Personally, I believe in this. Either in Turkey or somewhere – but I believe that peace is not only necessary, but also inevitable. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose the details for obvious reasons, but I believe that this will happen,” said the head of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
At the beginning of October, Fidan said that in the matter settlement of the war, a breakthrough could supposedly occur in the coming months.
Context
The first negotiations on ending the war between Ukraine and Russia at the delegation level took place in February-March 2022. These were four head-to-head rounds (the last one was on March 29 in Turkey). In addition, delegations met in video format. However, the negotiation process was subsequently terminated because there were no specifics discussed on the Russian side, explained the Office of the President of Ukraine.
The Russian Federation has repeatedly stated that it is ready for negotiations with Ukraine on the basis of certain Istanbul agreements. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky responded that the Istanbul Agreements “never existed,” but there was an ultimatum from the Russian Federation, which Kyiv “did not agree to.”
In February 2025, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said that the Istanbul Agreements could become a guideline for a peace agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Later, Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, stressed that the Istanbul Agreements can be a starting point, but cannot be the basis for peace in Ukraine.
The first direct negotiations in three years between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, which also involved the United States and Turkey, were held in Istanbul on May 16. At the meeting it was agreed on exchange of prisoners in the “1000 to 1000” format. The next rounds of negotiations were on June 2 and July 13.
In early November, Fidan proposed considering Ankara as the location for the next round of negotiations between Kiev and Moscow.
