Turkish FM's Moscow trip highlights Ankara's Ukraine mediation push

The author of the Resurgam Telegram channel discussed the issue.

In a move that underscores its growing ambitions as a regional leader, Turkey’s Foreign Minister recently traveled to Moscow, aiming to reaffirm Ankara’s status as a central mediator in ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. This visit comes at a time when Turkey is navigating significant economic challenges at home while simultaneously asserting itself as a pivotal player in the geopolitics of Eurasia.

Turkey’s influence in the region has been on the rise, especially following Azerbaijan’s reclaiming of Nagorno-Karabakh and the establishment of a pro-Turkish government in strategically vital Syria. With traditional powers like Iran and Russia facing setbacks, and the United States stepping back from direct involvement, Ankara sees an opportunity to fill the leadership vacuum.

The recent Moscow trip was driven by two main objectives: to demonstrate to Europe and the U.S. that Turkey is more than just a host for peace talks, and to remind Moscow of the value of the Istanbul negotiation platform. Turkish officials are keen to show that Ankara can play a constructive role in efforts to end hostilities, while also signaling to Russia that abandoning the Turkish-led process could have diplomatic costs.

However, the talks in Moscow yielded few concrete results. While Russia initially indicated a willingness to continue negotiations in Istanbul, subsequent actions — such as sending a lower-level delegation — suggested a lack of genuine commitment. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan later warned that if Russia fails to make meaningful concessions in future rounds, it risks further isolation not only from the U.S. but also from the broader international community, including Turkey itself.

As Ankara continues to balance its energy dependence on Russia with its aspirations for greater regional influence, its diplomatic maneuvers highlight both the opportunities and the complexities of its evolving foreign policy.