Zelensky Meets Erdogan in Ankara to Intensify Ukraine Peace Talks

Ankara, Turkey – November 19, 2025: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday, marking a critical step to intensify efforts for peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Zelensky emphasized that bringing the war to an end “with all our might” remains Ukraine’s top priority, while also focusing on resuming prisoner exchanges.

The meeting, taking place in Turkey’s capital, comes amid escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine, including advances toward the eastern city of Pokrovsk. Zelensky’s diplomatic push is part of a wider European tour to secure political, military, and financial support for Kyiv. In recent days, he visited Athens to sign a gas deal, Paris for up to 100 fighter jets, and Madrid to meet with Spanish arms manufacturers.

Turkey, maintaining ties with both Kyiv and Moscow, has previously hosted peace talks between the two sides. However, no Russian representatives were expected to attend Wednesday’s discussions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that while Russian President Vladimir Putin is “open to a conversation,” there were no concrete plans for a meeting with either Turkey or the US special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Zelensky’s visit comes against the backdrop of Ukraine’s domestic political turbulence. Several of his close aides are under investigation for co-organizing a large-scale criminal scheme, and two ministers recently resigned. These issues could impact Kyiv’s credibility ahead of a decision by the EU in December on whether to unblock a €140 billion loan based on frozen Russian state assets. EU leaders have stressed that Zelensky must demonstrate stronger anti-corruption measures.

The diplomatic push in Ankara also underscores the ongoing deadlock in negotiations with Russia. Moscow continues to insist on conditions unacceptable to Ukraine, including full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, along with renouncing NATO ambitions. Zelensky has consistently rejected these terms, arguing that relinquishing the Donbas would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks.

Earlier US attempts to mediate peace, including meetings between Trump, Putin, and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, have stalled. Recent confidential talks between Witkoff and Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Washington indicate that behind-the-scenes diplomacy is ongoing, though achieving a breakthrough remains challenging.

As the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches in February 2026, international observers are watching Zelensky’s diplomatic engagements closely. The Ankara meeting with Erdogan is being seen as a crucial step to rally European support, bolster Ukraine’s negotiating position, and explore pathways for ending the war while mitigating further human and infrastructural losses.

Ukraine faces immense pressure both internationally and domestically, and Wednesday’s discussions with Turkey could be pivotal in shaping the next phase of conflict resolution.