During a meeting in Ankara, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk proposed that Turkey should take on a more prominent role in peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Tusk emphasized his belief that Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership, should share significant responsibility for facilitating peace discussions.
"I approached President Erdoğan with an unequivocal proposal that Turkey should take as much co-responsibility for the peace process as possible," Tusk said.
At a joint press conference with Erdoğan, Tusk reiterated that both Poland and Turkey have sought peace since the conflict's outset in 2022. He also expressed support for the recent peace talks held in Saudi Arabia, highlighting Poland's approval of the discussions aimed at de-escalating the war.
Joint Goals for Stabilization and Reconstruction
Tusk stated, "Our goal is to stabilize the region. We need to rebuild Ukraine," adding that this presents opportunities for both Polish and Turkish companies. He emphasized that both countries are committed to a just peace and that they share similar views on the outcomes of the initial phase of talks held in Saudi Arabia, which involved American and Ukrainian representatives.
President Erdoğan responded by reaffirming Turkey’s readiness to support peace efforts. "We must bring about a just end to the war," Erdoğan said. "We are ready to provide a place for peace talks and all possible assistance."
Turkey's Balanced Approach Amid Conflict
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Turkey has maintained a delicate balancing act, avoiding direct confrontation with Moscow while providing military support to Kiev. Erdoğan further underscored the importance of Poland and Turkey as key NATO allies, with both countries commanding the alliance’s two largest ground armies in Europe.
In the aftermath of their discussions, Erdoğan also commented on Turkey's critical role within the European Union. "If the European Union wants to prevent and even reverse its loss of power and influence, it can only do so with Turkey’s full membership," he said.