Cover Image Source: VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/POOL/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
In a significant diplomatic move, Russian President Vladimir Putin is poised to embark on his first visit to a NATO country in four years, with Turkey being the chosen destination. The Kremlin announced on Monday, confirming that preparations are underway for the visit scheduled for next month.
Yuri Ushakov, a top foreign policy adviser to Putin, shared insights on the visit with Interfax, indicating that Ukrainian issues would likely be at the forefront of the negotiations. Turkey, a key NATO member, has played a unique role in fostering diplomatic channels between Russia and its Western adversaries. Despite Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Turkey, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has maintained a delicate balance by supporting Ukraine with military supplies while refraining from endorsing Western sanctions on Moscow.
Turkey’s mediation efforts have been evident through hosting peace talks in Antalya and Istanbul in 2022 and facilitating the Black Sea Grain Initiative to temporarily ease the export of agricultural products from southern Ukrainian ports amid Russia’s naval blockade.
Erdoğan, in a recent phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reiterated Turkey’s commitment to fostering peace and stability in the region. He emphasized Turkey’s readiness to mediate, stating, “Ukraine, in order to take joint steps with Russia, certainly needs to soften its position.”
Putin’s upcoming visit to Turkey marks a rare occurrence since his last NATO nation visit to Germany in 2020, where he met with then-Chancellor Angela Merkel. Putin’s international travels have been constrained due to his involvement in the war on Ukraine and the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant issued in 2023 for alleged related crimes.
Preparations for Putin’s Turkey trip have been underway for several months, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirming in August 2023 that the meeting was imminent. Erdogan’s visit to Sochi in September 2023 further fueled expectations, with discussions covering matters such as Ukrainian Black Sea agricultural exports.
Addressing the potential visit during his end-of-year press conference in December, Putin expressed optimism about the upcoming meeting, stating, “I think we’ll be able to meet. I am planning this, indeed. I planned this recently, but it didn’t work out for President Erdoğan because of his schedule. Although I was prepared to fly to Turkey.”
As geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, Putin’s visit to Turkey signals a noteworthy diplomatic engagement with potential implications for regional stability and international relations.