Under the chapters on "Global leadership in building a world of peace", "Türkiye’s stance on the war", "Maintaining open channels of dialogue", "Humanitarian and enterprising diplomacy", the book details President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's diplomacy traffic and steps taken to ensure peace between Ukraine and Russia.
The Presidency's Directorate of Communications has compiled the book “Türkiye's Contribution to Stability: Multi-Dimensional Diplomacy for Peace”, which details President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's diplomacy traffic and steps taken to ensure peace between Ukraine and Russia.
In the introduction of the book, President Erdoğan emphasises that we are living in a time when every country is feeling the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic across all sectors, and regional, political and economic tensions as well as hot conflicts are disrupting the world order.
President Erdoğan states that while the humanitarian crisis and political issues in crisis regions such as Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, and Arakan remain unresolved, the entire world, particularly Eastern Europe, has been forced to confront the devastation and misery caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, adding “It has once again been demonstrated that even the smallest problem, if overlooked, can result in disasters. This war has once again revealed the critical need for international organisations established to safeguard security and stability to be more effective and decisive in their actions.”
President Erdoğan highlights that as a result, NATO, which has played a critical role in promoting security and stability since its establishment, bears enormous responsibility in this context, and notes:
“On the other hand, it will be decisive in NATO’s future to resolve the issues of global security architecture as quickly as possible and ensure complete solidarity of member states both inside the alliance and in bilateral relations. As one of the five countries that contributed the most to NATO, of which it has been a member for 70 years, Türkiye fulfils all the requirements of the spirit of alliance decisively and effectively. Türkiye, which plays an active role in contributing to the resolution, peace, and stability in regional and global crises ranging from Afghanistan to the Balkans, Africa to the Caucasus, also makes a strong diplomatic effort to achieve peace between Russia and Ukraine. Everyone must act with the same sense of responsibility to avoid further humanitarian tragedies, especially loss of life and forced migration.”
President Erdoğan underlines that Türkiye respects international law, justice, equity, and mutual respect and interest in its relations with neighbouring countries as well as its alliances, and states, “As a reliable ally, we are fulfilling our obligations in the face of several challenges that NATO continues to face. As we have done thus far, we will continue to contribute to the establishment of global peace, prosperity, and stability within the context of an enterprising and humanitarian foreign policy.”
Türkiye's peace diplomacy
Türkiye's efforts towards peace are discussed under four chapters in the book. The diplomacy traffic conducted by President Erdoğan is included under the chapter "Global leadership in building a world of peace."
"Türkiye's stance on the war" is explained under the sub-chapter of Ukraine's territorial integrity and call for a ceasefire with initiatives to prevent war.
The topics of hosting peace talks and the Antalya Diplomacy Forum are covered under the chapter "Maintaining open channels of dialogue", while the topics of protection of civilian elements, Türkiye's humanitarian aid to Ukraine and keeping the humanitarian corridors open are covered under the chapter "Humanitarian and enterprising diplomacy".
Talks with 34 leaders
The book emphasises that President Erdoğan has been conducting intense diplomacy traffic by holding tête-à-tête meetings or phone calls with 34 world leaders, prime ministers and representatives of international organisations since the beginning of the war on February 24, 2022, and that he has had tête-à-tête meetings with more than 20 world leaders and representatives of international organisations during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in order to achieve a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
In the book, it is stated that faced with the imminent threat of war, Türkiye, which made an efforts to keep channels of dialogue open and conducted high-level talks with the parties from the start of the crisis, maintains its policies toward a peace settlement even after the war began, and it is noted that Türkiye does not hesitate to use the instruments at its disposal to avert the escalation of the war within the framework of its rights and responsibilities stemming from international law.
According to the book, Türkiye has been defending Ukraine's political sovereignty and territorial integrity since 2014, when tensions began in Ukraine, and has continued its efforts to achieve a ceasefire and end the war.
In the book, where it is indicated that Türkiye has repeatedly called for dialogue, diplomacy and common sense since the first period of the crisis, it is also stated that, "The invitation to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum under the mediation of Türkiye marked the beginning of the highest-level contact between Russia and Ukraine."
The book emphasises Türkiye's sensitivity to regional tensions and humanitarian concerns in an environment of war, as well as its high-level relief operations, reflecting the view, "With its humanitarian approach from history, Türkiye continues to be in contact with the parties in order to ensure the peace and security of all civilians regardless of language, religion and race, as well as its own citizens."
In the book, which also covers Türkiye's humanitarian aids, it is pointed out that trucks were shipped to Ukraine and Moldova under the leadership of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).
Additionally, the book reports that Türkiye has fought to keep humanitarian evacuation corridors open since the outbreak of the war, and that contact has been established with around 25 thousand Turkish residents in Ukraine one by one.