The Turkey's role as mediator in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict (2022-2025).

Abstract

In the current international environment, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has allowed Türkiye to emerge as a unique actor, as its potential and prestige at the regional and international levels have enabled it to become an effective mediator between the two contenders. In this regard, its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, combined with sustained strategic relations with Russia, has given it a unique capacity for dialogue that has been instrumental in the development of concrete diplomatic initiatives. Ankara’s mediation is not based on principles of neutrality, but rather on a logic of strategic autonomy, which articulates its projection as a regional power and the defense of economic and geopolitical interests. An analysis of Turkey’s performance reveals a diplomacy that has favored high-level contacts, humanitarian agreements, and relevant initiatives such as the Black Sea Grain Agreement, in a context of growing paralysis of traditional multilateral mechanisms. This limited but effective mediation capacity positions Türkiye as an increasingly relevant actor on the international stage, with a foreign policy model based on tactical flexibility and the maximization of benefits in highly conflictive contexts.