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Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Turkey-Russia Ties
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan completed a two-day visit to Russia, reaffirming Turkey's commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Moscow through economic and human ties. Fidan met with senior Russian officials and expressed Turkey's hope that the Russia-Ukraine war will be resolved through negotiations, offering Turkish assistance in organizing peace talks.
Quick Facts
Who
Hakan Fidan
What
Turkish Foreign Minister visits Russia
When
June 18, 2026
Where
Moscow
- Turkish Foreign Minister visits Russia
- Bilateral meetings on strengthening cooperation
- Discussions on Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations
- Support expressed for South Caucasus peace efforts
- 3+3 regional cooperation platform discussed
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan concluded a two-day diplomatic visit to Russia, emphasizing Ankara's commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Moscow. Following meetings in both Moscow and Kazan with senior Russian officials, Fidan stated that Turkey and Russia would continue joint efforts to strengthen their relationship, which he characterized as deeply rooted in history and built on goodwill between the two nations' leaders, strong economic cooperation, and human ties.
During his visit, Fidan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, to whom he conveyed messages from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and received Putin's assessments of regional issues. He also held comprehensive consultations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and met with key figures including Russia's chief Ukraine negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin, Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov, Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin, and General Igor Kostyukov of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff. These discussions covered areas for expanding bilateral cooperation and addressed regional concerns.
Fidan expressed Turkey's hope that the war between Russia and Ukraine will be resolved through negotiations, reiterating Ankara's readiness to provide comprehensive assistance in organizing further peace talks. He also reiterated Turkish support for efforts to establish peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus, highlighting the potential of the 3+3 regional cooperation platform. Fidan emphasized that strong Turkey-Russia relations are crucial for international security, stability, and prosperity.
Topics
Why This Matters
This visit signals that Turkey wants to keep channels open with Moscow even as the Russia-Ukraine war continues. For readers, the practical takeaway is that Turkey is positioning itself as a mediator and a regional broker, which could affect future peace talks, Black Sea diplomacy, energy ties, and business conditions involving Russian and Turkish markets.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan concludes two-day visit to Russia, meets with President Putin and other senior officials
Jun 18, 2026
WireFidan reaffirms Turkey's commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and expressing readiness to mediate in Ukraine conflict