Erdoğan Urges Meloni to Back Revival of Istanbul Peace Talks for Ukraine
A Renewed Call for Dialogue at the G20
Amidst high-stakes discussions on global crises, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan leveraged his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa to champion the revival of the Istanbul peace negotiations.
According to a statement from Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, President Erdoğan emphasized to his Italian counterpart that Ankara remains fully committed to securing an enduring peace. He stated that reigniting the framework of the initial Istanbul talks, first held weeks after the war began in 2022, could “open the door to peace” between Moscow and Kyiv.
The bilateral meeting served as a crucial diplomatic staging post, occurring just ahead of a confirmed phone call between President Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the Turkish leader planned to discuss both the Ukraine conflict and the stalled Black Sea grain corridor initiative. Türkiye has historically acted as the key neutral facilitator, having previously mediated significant prisoner exchanges and the original grain deal that ensured safe passage for millions of tons of Ukrainian exports.
Rome’s Strategic Support for Turkish Diplomacy
The appeal to Premier Meloni underscores Türkiye’s view of Italy as a supportive partner within NATO for its mediating efforts. Indeed, official statements released by the Italian government’s own press office have repeatedly acknowledged Türkiye’s indispensable role in fostering dialogue.
In recent months, as reported by Italian media, Premier Meloni has publicly thanked President Erdoğan for Türkiye’s diplomatic engagement and its standing readiness to host peace negotiations. This alignment reflects a shared strategic interest in Mediterranean and Black Sea stability. Some Italian political analyses have even pointed to a complex, multi-dimensional diplomatic initiative where Rome has sought to link Türkiye’s strategic influence with the moral authority of the Vatican to create a credible bridge for restarting high-level talks.
The joint statement released by the Italian presidency confirmed that the leaders held an “in-depth exchange of views” on international crises, including Ukraine and the Middle East, while stressing the importance of close cooperation between NATO allies.
Beyond Ukraine: Gaza and Defense Cooperation
While Ukraine dominated the strategic discussion, the two leaders also addressed other pressing regional concerns.
President Erdoğan stressed the paramount importance of maintaining the current ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid. He reiterated Türkiye’s firm belief that the only viable path to lasting peace in the region is a two-state solution.
Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the positive trajectory of Türkiye-Italy bilateral relations. The leaders underlined the importance of advancing cooperation, particularly in the defense industry and on issues related to Libyan stability, cementing their shared commitment to regional economic growth and security collaboration.