ISTANBUL – Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and senior officials in Moscow on June 16-17. Fidan is also expected to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Fidan is anticipated to reiterate Turkey’s offer to host Russia-Ukraine negotiations and raise issues including navigation security in the Black Sea, Iran, Syria, Gaza, and the South Caucasus. This summary was prepared by artificial intelligence and reviewed by an editor. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Moscow on June 16-17.
According to information from ministry sources, Fidan will travel to Russia at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. During his Moscow visit, Fidan will also meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He is expected to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and other senior officials. Fidan’s last bilateral visit to Russia was on May 26-27, 2025.
The last meeting between Fidan and Lavrov took place on April 18 during the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Russia-Ukraine war: Turkey to reiterate offer to host negotiations During his Moscow engagements, Fidan will address not only bilateral relations but also regional and global issues.
Fidan is expected to emphasize that relations between Turkey and Russia are critical for regional stability and prosperity. Topics concerning bilateral relations, including trade, energy, security, and consular matters, will be discussed in detail. One of Fidan’s key agenda items will be the Russia-Ukraine war.
Fidan will underline Turkey’s commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace in the conflict. He is expected to reiterate Turkey’s readiness to host a new round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, as it did in 2022 and 2025. The Kyiv administration had requested Ankara in April to host a leaders-level meeting to mediate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously proposed several times holding talks with Russia at the leaders’ level. Navigation security in the Black Sea on the agenda Another topic Fidan will raise in Moscow is the rising tensions in the Black Sea.
Minister Fidan is expected to highlight that the tensions in the Black Sea pose a threat to regional and global peace, and recent incidents have created multifaceted risks. Turkey proposes establishing a navigation security mechanism in the Black Sea and a limited ceasefire covering energy infrastructure and ports. Fidan is expected to stress that this proposal remains on the table.
In recent months, Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of drone attacks on tankers near Turkey’s northern coasts. Therefore, maritime transport security will be a prominent topic during the Moscow talks. Iran, Syria, Gaza, and the South Caucasus also on the agenda Fidan’s discussions are also expected to cover the agreement reached between the US and Iran.
Syria will also be among the topics during the Moscow meetings. Fidan is expected to emphasize the importance of the international community continuing its support to the Syrian government to ensure stability, security, development, and prosperity in Syria. He is also expected to send messages regarding Israel’s policies in the region.
Minister Fidan is reported to stress that Israel’s aggressive and expansionist policies threaten security and stability throughout the region; he will highlight the need to prevent ceasefire violations in Gaza, the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, and the occupation in Lebanon. The South Caucasus will also be discussed during the talks.
Fidan is expected to express Turkey’s support for the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, stating that peace and stability in the South Caucasus will benefit both Turkey and Russia. Following Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s election victory this month, the peace process between Yerevan and Baku is being closely monitored.
Progress between Armenia and Azerbaijan could also accelerate the normalization process between Turkey and Armenia.
