"We know that ending the war between Russia and Ukraine...is not only in the interest of these two countries but also in the interest of the region," Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said on Tuesday.
Kurtulmus stated that Turkey has advocated for a "peaceful and equitable" solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict from the start.
"We know that ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, both of which are our neighbors and with which we have relations, is not only in the interest of both countries but also in the interest of the region, Europe and the whole world," the Speaker proclaimed at a recent event with ambassadors in the capital, Ankara.
He mentioned that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been actively engaged with the leaders of both Russia and Ukraine, at times nearly reaching a resolution.
"Unfortunately, due to the attitudes of some countries, we have moved away from the solution point," Kurtulmus added.
The Global Implications of the Conflict
Kurtulmus expressed concern over the potential escalation of the war into a broader conflict involving Russia and the Western world.
"God forbid, if the Russia-Ukraine war is not ended peacefully, it is even possible that we will hear the footsteps of the Third World War," he warned.
Turkey has been recognized internationally for its mediator role between Ukraine and Russia, continuously urging both sides to negotiate an end to the hostilities.
Erdogan has offered to host formal talks in Turkey between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
