Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the Presidential Palace in Ankara on Monday, highlighting Türkiye’s ongoing role in navigating complex regional and global issues.

The Turkish Presidency confirmed the meeting via a post on the social media platform X, though specifics of the discussions remain undisclosed.

The high-level engagement follows a busy day of diplomacy, with Lavrov earlier joining Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for a joint press conference. During the briefing, Lavrov announced that Russian and U.S. officials are scheduled to hold a new round of talks later this week, signaling continued diplomatic activity amid strained international relations.

While the agenda of the Erdogan-Lavrov meeting was not publicly detailed, it comes against the backdrop of Türkiye’s strategic balancing act in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and broader geopolitical tensions. Türkiye has positioned itself as a mediator in various disputes, maintaining open channels with both Western and Eastern powers.

Lavrov’s visit underscores Ankara’s significance as a hub for dialogue between major global players, with the outcomes of these discussions potentially influencing developments in the region and beyond. Further updates on the talks are awaited as the week progresses. (ILKHA)