Today, reports emerged regarding the planned visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Ukraine, which was cancelled at the last moment. According to Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey, there was no official confirmation of the visit, even though Erdogan had reportedly considered traveling to Ukraine for potential talks and to sign a long-discussed free trade agreement between the two countries. This agreement has been on the agenda since before the full-scale Russian invasion.
Experts debate the primary reasons for the visit's cancellation, highlighting the influence of international politics, especially Turkey's interactions with Russia and the role of Donald Trump and the United States in the peace process. According to Reuters, citing Kremlin sources, Vladimir Putin is not willing to accept proposed ceasefire terms and remains confident of victory, which may have affected the diplomatic plans of third parties such as Turkey.
Currently, there is no evidence that Turkey or the EU can provide a breakthrough for Ukraine at the negotiating table. At the same time, Ankara is increasingly active geopolitically and seeks to strengthen its position as a possible platform for negotiations. Crucial decisions, however, rest with the United States and Donald Trump, whose stance may determine the next steps for Turkey and Ukraine's partners.
With August 8 approaching, changes in the negotiation process are possible, and future visits or meetings between leaders may reappear on the agenda.
