Turkey seeks mediation role, also to divert attention from domestic issues

The Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is in Moscow for talks with President Putin and his Russian counterpart Lavrov. A week and a half ago, a Turkish delegation led by Fidan mediated the first talks between Russia and Ukraine. Turkish leader Erdogan is trying to position himself as an intermediary between the two countries and also divert attention from his domestic actions.

On the agenda in Moscow are various bilateral topics such as tourism, trade, and energy, says Turkey correspondent Ingrid Woudwijk. Turkey is not only an important tourist destination for many Russians, but Ankara is also a major buyer of Russian energy, on which Turkey heavily depends.

Also on the agenda: the war between Russia and Ukraine. 'Turkey indeed sees itself as an important player, and according to Turkish diplomatic sources, the aim is a fair and sustainable peace,' says Woudwijk. She points out that Fidan plays a key role in this and has long advocated a diplomatic solution. However, recent Russian bombings on Ukrainian civilian targets do not indicate that Russia is seeking peace, but Fidan is now speaking at a higher level than in Istanbul a week and a half ago.

Fidan hopes that this could lead to a ceasefire and that we are at a turning point towards a diplomatic solution, says Woudwijk, who also notes that the situation on the ground has 'deteriorated rather than improved'. Fidan can make few concrete commitments, as Ukraine is not participating in the talks.

According to Woudwijk, Turkey's diplomatic efforts cannot be separated from the domestic situation in Turkey, where Erdogan is silencing and arresting his political opposition and human rights are being violated in other ways. Being important on the international stage must push issues such as the illegal arrest of the popular mayor Imamoglu of Istanbul and the protests against it into the background, says Woudwijk.