Hakan Fidan Emphasizes Importance of Inclusive Ukraine Peace Summit

Hakan Fidan

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Hakan Fidan, the Turkish Foreign Minister, hailed the timing of the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, emphasizing the need for the participation of all parties to achieve more significant outcomes.

Addressing the two-day summit on Saturday, Fidan underscored the urgency of addressing the devastating war that has unfolded in Europe due to the occupation of Ukraine. He highlighted the alarming toll of casualties, exceeding 500,000 according to some estimates, and cautioned against the potential escalation of the tragedy if left unchecked.

“The timing of this peace conference couldn’t be better,” Fidan remarked, emphasizing the critical need for immediate action.

Fidan outlined two major risks associated with the prolonged conflict: the potential spillage of war beyond Ukraine, leading to deeper global polarization, and the inherent danger of weapons of mass destruction being employed.

He emphasized the evolving nature of the conflict, stressing that it is no longer confined to a dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Fidan acknowledged the peace initiatives put forward by Ukraine and recent terms shared by Russia, noting these as important steps toward a potential resolution.

However, Fidan also expressed the sentiment that the summit could have been more result-oriented with the inclusion of Russia, the other party to the conflict, in the discussions.

“As we have the Ukrainian peace plan and recent terms shared by Russia, these are important steps and a glimmer of hope to start with,” Fidan stated. “However, the absence of Russia in the room limits the potential effectiveness of this summit.”

Fidan’s remarks underscore Turkey’s commitment to facilitating dialogue and cooperation among all parties involved in seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.