Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul on Saturday that Türkiye is prepared to host the next round of negotiations between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, according to the Ukrainian Presidential Office. Zelenskyy said he was ready to attend.
"Erdogan proposes holding peace talks in Istanbul — we are ready to come. Ready for a meeting at the level of leaders in any format," Zelenskyy told reporters after the meeting
Security cooperation and energy
Beyond the diplomatic framing around negotiations, the two presidents agreed on concrete steps in security cooperation. Zelenskyy posted on social media that the agreement centers on what Ukraine can offer Türkiye — "expertise, technologies, experience" — and that teams on both sides would finalize details "in the coming days."
The two leaders also discussed joint gas infrastructure development and the possibility of co-developing gas fields. Zelenskyy said practical steps for implementing shared projects in "building gas infrastructure" were among the topics covered.
Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and said Ankara is prepared to play a significant role in achieving what the Ukrainian side described as "reliable peace."
Meeting with Patriarch bartholomew
Earlier in Istanbul, Zelenskyy met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The fate of Ukrainian children under Russian aggression was described as the central topic. "I thank His All-Holiness for his support and constant prayers for Ukraine, Ukrainians, and our children," Zelenskyy wrote.
He also briefed Bartholomew on the peace negotiation process and discussed the development of the church in Ukraine. Zelenskyy invited the Patriarch to visit Ukraine "for the spiritual support of our people in this important year for all of us, when we will mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine's independence."
Background
Türkiye's role as a potential host for negotiations has been in play since March, when Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that Ankara was ready to facilitate the next round of talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Separately, Zelenskyy invited an American negotiating delegation to Kyiv. The head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov, said he expects the US delegation to arrive after Easter.
