Finance

Turkey ready to host next round of Russia-Ukraine talks, Fidan tells Lavrov

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 17, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 1, 2026

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Turkey ready to host next round of Russia-Ukraine talks, Fidan tells Lavrov
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ANKARA, March 17 (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated that Turkey is ready to host the next round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, during a phone call with Russian

Turkey Offers to Host Russia-Ukraine Talks, Addresses Energy Cooperation Risks

Turkey's Diplomatic Efforts and Energy Security Concerns

Turkey's Offer to Mediate Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

ANKARA, March 17 (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated that Turkey is ready to host the next round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, during a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday, Turkey's foreign ministry said.

Risks of Prolonged Conflict

Fidan underlined the risks posed by the prolonged war for both regional countries and the international order, while the ministers also addressed issues related to energy security, according to the ministry.

Energy Cooperation and Security

Russian-Turkish Energy Relations

Russia's Foreign Ministry said the conversation between Fidan and Lavrov covered Russian-Turkish energy cooperation, with particular emphasis on securing the Blue Stream and TurkStream gas pipelines amid what Moscow described as Ukraine's attempts to damage their infrastructure.

Recent Attacks on Energy Infrastructure

Last week Russia said that it had foiled Ukrainian attacks on its gas pumping stations, operated by Gazprom, that form part of the network delivering gas to Europe through TurkStream and Blue Stream.

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Tuvan GumrukcuAdditional reporting by Maxim RodionovWriting by Ece ToksabayEditing by Peter Graff)

Key Takeaways

  • Turkey again offered to provide a negotiating venue for Russia and Ukraine, reinforcing its role as a neutral facilitator. This follows earlier Istanbul-hosted talks in mid‑2025 during which only prisoner exchanges were agreed. (globaltimes.cn)
  • Fidan emphasized the broader danger of the prolonged war to regional stability and the international order, while Jerusalem and energy cooperation—especially securing the Blue Stream and TurkStream pipelines—were central in the Lavrov conversation. (lemonde.fr)
  • The energy security discussion comes amid Russian claims that Ukraine attempted to damage pipeline infrastructure—claims Moscow says were thwarted. (lemonde.fr)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What role is Turkey offering in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
Turkey is ready to host the next round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
What energy security issues were discussed by the foreign ministers?
They discussed the safety of the Blue Stream and TurkStream gas pipelines and recent threats to their infrastructure.
Which pipelines are highlighted as crucial for gas delivery in the talks?
The Blue Stream and TurkStream gas pipelines were emphasized as crucial for energy cooperation.
Why are the gas pipelines significant in the Russia-Ukraine talks?
The pipelines are essential for gas supply to Europe and have been recent targets of attacks amid the ongoing conflict.
What risks did Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan underline regarding the prolonged war?
Fidan highlighted the risks for both regional countries and the international order due to the ongoing conflict.

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