Main political events in Türkiye in the last week.
Main political events in Türkiye in the last week.
Last week in Türkiye, the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul were at the forefront of the agenda. Besides hosting the meetings, Türkiye put in significant effort to bring the two sides together.
Another important item of the agenda was President Erdoğan’s participation and talks in the European Political Community Summit held in Albania.
Football was also the spotlight. Galatasaray clinched two titles in a single week, first winning the Turkish Cup, followed by the Turkish Süper Lig championship.
Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul
For the first time since 2022, Russia and Ukraine held direct talks in Istanbul.
The talks came about following a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the path to the meeting was quite tough.
There was intense debate between the two sides over the level of participation, timing, and scope of the talks. Also, possibility of cancellation was reported multiple times. Initially scheduled for May 15, the talks were postponed to May 16 due to ongoing disagreements.
Türkiye has been actively involved from the outset. On May 15, President Erdoğan welcomed his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Presidential Complex. The meeting was held behind closed doors, with the participations of National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, National Intelligence Organization Chief İbrahim Kalın, and Presidential Chief Foreign Policy and Security Advisor Akif Çağatay Kılıç.
On the same day, the Russian delegation also arrived in Istanbul. The delegation was led by Vladimir Medinsky, advisor to President Vladimir Putin. Other members included Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
After it became clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would not attend the talks, Ukraine initially raised objections, but eventually accepted. The Ukrainian delegation, headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, included Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya, Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Oleksandr Poklad, Deputy Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Oleh Luhovskyi, and other officials.
On May 16, just before the Russia-Ukraine talks, a trilateral meeting took place between Turkish, American, and Ukrainian officials at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Working Office in Istanbul.
According to sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegations gathered with the leadership of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The one-hour meeting included MIT Chief İbrahim Kalın on the Turkish side. In the US delegation were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack, and President Trump’s Special Representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.
Just a few hours after the Türkiye-US-Ukraine trilateral meeting, Turkish, Russian, and Ukrainian delegations also gathered with the leadership of Fidan at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Working Office in Istanbul. National Intelligence Organization Chief İbrahim Kalın also attended. The meeting lasted approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
Opening the talks, Foreign Minister Fidan called on Presidents Putin and Zelenskiy to engage in talks, emphasizing the importance of these discussions as a foundation for a leaders’s summit. He stated:
“We are pleased to see that all parties’ strong commitment to peace has opened a new window of opportunity. We consider it very significant that our President and Trump’s calls for peace have been heard by Putin and Zelenskiy.
Russia and Ukraine’s readiness to start direct talks has made this critical phase possible. As you can appreciate, there are two paths at this phase. One will lead us to a process that brings peace. The other will cause further destruction and loss of life.
(…)
President Zelenskiy’s visit to Ankara was an important step toward initiating negotiations. We are equally pleased to host the Russian delegation participating in the talks. Hosting representatives from both sides here in Istanbul demonstrates our strong determination to end the war.
(…)
I want to draw your attention to one point: this meeting marks the first direct, high-level contact between the parties since March 2022. We must seize this opportunity to move forward on the path to peace.
(…)
Dear guests, as the war continues to take lives, it is critically important to implement a ceasefire as soon as possible. There is an opportunity for a ceasefire to be established alongside negotiations. I would also like to highlight one matter here. The next phase will be determined together based on the choices we make and the steps we take. It is highly important that these talks lay the groundwork for a leaders’ meeting.
(…)
We are ready to provide every possible contribution for peace. Once again, I welcome you all to Istanbul and wish the parties success in the upcoming technical negotiations.”
Following Minister Fidan’s remarks, the talks proceeded behind closed doors. After approximately one hour and 45 minutes, statements were released by the parties.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov answered reporters’ questions after the meeting. He said that the ceasefire and prisoner exchange were discussed, along with the possibility of a leaders’ summit. He stated, “We have agreed on an exchange of 1,000 prisoners for 1,000 prisoners”. Umerov added that they were also working on various solutions saying, “Our colleagues are in contact, and we will exchange all relevant documents. There is an urgent need to carry out the prisoner exchange. We will inform you soon about the next phase.”
Vladimir Medinsky, advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin and head of the Russian delegation, also made a statement after the talks. He said, “In the coming days, a large prisoner exchange of 1,000 for 1,000 will take place. The Ukrainian side has requested direct talks at the presidential level. We have noted this request. Russia and Ukraine will present their detailed views on a possible ceasefire, then the negotiations will continue. We consider this reasonable.”
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also issued a statement on social media following the talks:
“Today was an important day for world peace. As a result of intense diplomatic efforts, Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul under Türkiye’s facilitation. The outcome of the meeting included an agreement on the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side as a confidence-building measure. They also agreed to share in writing the conditions that would enable a ceasefire. The parties also agreed in principle to meet again. As Türkiye, we will continue to exert every effort to make a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine possible.”
Istanbul once again hosted a summit of global significance.
Erdoğan at the European Political Community Summit
The 6th summit of the European Political Community (EPC), which brings together European Union countries and non-EU European countries, was held in Tirana, the capital of Albania.
During the summit, President Erdoğan held meetings with leaders and officials from various participating countries and delivered a speech at the event. Key excerpts from Erdoğan’s speech are as follows:
“There is a need to establish a fair and inclusive global governance architecture to overcome the current crisis of trust in the international arena. This transformation, built on the principles of the indivisibility of security and a more equitable sharing of prosperity, must begin first within our own home, the European continent. We have vast potential for cooperation in many areas such as defense industry, energy, transportation corridors and connectivity, supply chains, digital markets, and critical minerals.
At this critical time when we are consulting on the future of European security, efforts by the European Union to develop its own defense industry are welcome. We believe these efforts should also include non-EU allies in a way that does not undermine NATO’s central role. We are confident that initiatives like ReArm and SAFE, if pursued with this understanding, will benefit European security. Many wars and conflicts in Europe’s past show us that on vital matters like defense and security, we weaken when divided but grow stronger when united.”
Erdoğan continued:
“Türkiye holds critical importance with its $1.3 trillion economic size, a young and dynamic population exceeding 85 million, a competitive industry, and direct access to large consumer markets. We believe that updating our Customs Union with the European Union will contribute to the security of supply chains. Furthermore, we are confident that this step will open the way for joint production and investment opportunities in critical sectors such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, and defense industry. It is also essential to reconsider visa policies like Schengen, which restrict the mobility of our people and consequently the movement of goods, services, and capital.”
Erdoğan also touched on the peace talks held in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine:
“As in the past, today we contribute to every effort aimed at a solution, with a comprehensive ceasefire as a priority. Given the sensitivity of the process, encouraging the parties without imposing demands is crucial for reaching a fair and lasting peace. I have held separate talks with Mr. Trump, Mr. Putin, and Mr. Zelenskiy. Mr. Macron and Ms. (Giorgia) Meloni also contacted me. Zelenskiy was in Ankara yesterday. Following our meeting, we decided to start technical talks. Since March 2022, for the first time, an important window of opportunity has opened.”
In his speech, Erdoğan also criticized the Israeli government and called for a ceasefire.
He also addressed developments in Syria:
“US President Mr. Trump’s announcement to lift sanctions on Syria is a very valuable step toward the country’s swift recovery. With this decision, Mr. Trump once again demonstrated his commitment to regional stability and development. We hope this decision will set an example for other countries as well.”
The summit held in Albania was attended by heads of state and government from the 27 European Union member countries, and also by representatives from candidate countries Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and San Marino.
Galatasaray: Mays belong to us
Within one week, Galatasaray first won the Turkish Cup and then clinched the Süper Lig championship.
In the Turkish Cup final played on Wednesday, Galatasaray defeated Trabzonspor with a decisive 3-0 scoreline. Galatasaray’s first goal came with Barış Alper Yılmaz’ score in 5th minute. This was followed by two goals from Galatasaray’s Nigerian star Viktor Osimhen in the 46th and 63rd minutes.
After the match, both the Galatasaray players and fans celebrated with great joy. Head coach Okan Buruk shared his thoughts, saying:
“Winning this cup is very important. We have worked hard, and I want to thank all my players. Our fans were with us throughout the match and supported us afterward. With this morale, we want to go to Istanbul and become champions.”
Galatasaray’s star Viktor Osimhen also made remarks after the game:
“I want to congratulate the whole team. We are very happy. We fought hard from start to finish. We also want to thank the fans who were incredible throughout. We were fighting for three trophies but got eliminated from one. We won one cup and on Sunday we will fight for the 5th star.”
Regarding breaking Mario Jardel’s record by scoring his 35th goal for Galatasaray, Osimhen said:
“Breaking the record is obviously great. I thank my teammates. Yunus was very unifying today. I am very happy to have scored goals, making history is a huge pleasure for me. I will continue to fight.”
On his future with Galatasaray, Osimhen said he will decide at the end of the season: “I really can’t resist the Galatasaray fans. I have to make a big decision at the end of the season. I want to thank everyone for what I have experienced so far. I will make my decision at the end of the season.”
After winning the Turkish Cup on Wednesday, Galatasaray also won the Süper Lig title by on Sunday, two weeks before the season’s end.
Having been champions in the last two seasons as well, Galatasaray thus claimed their 25th championship and earned the right to sew their 5th star on their jerseys.
Their long-time rivals Fenerbahçe have won 19 championships and currently have only 3 stars on their jerseys.
There was a huge turnout of fans for the Galatasaray-Kayserispor match on Sunday.
Galatasaray won the match against Kayserispor by 3-0. with the goals coming at the following minutes: Osimhen minute 26, Barış Alper Yılmaz minute 29, Muslera minute 89.
After the final whistle, Ali Sami Yen Stadium was filled with great excitement, and Galatasaray supporters took to the streets across Türkiye to celebrate. The words of Ali Sami Yen, the founder of the club, “Our aim is to defeat non-Turkish teams” were projected on a large cinevision in the stadium.
Reflecting on the match and the championship, head coach Okan Buruk said:
It’s incredible, it gives me goosebumps. Thank Allah. Both me and Galatasaray are watching a team with such beautiful people. I am proud of them. We have completed the 5th star. Our goal is to be champion again next year. I had 4 championships as a player, now my goal is to have 4 championships as a technical director.”
Galatasaray’s star Viktor Osimhen shared his thoughts after the match:
I’m very happy, it’s great to be part of Galatasaray history. For now, I don’t know what will happen next season, I don’t think about the future and enjoy the moment.
Team’s legendary captain and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera won his eighteenth title with Galatasaray, seven of which were league titles.
With the slogan “Mays belong to us” Galatasaray, which has marked the league for many years, is expected to continue celebrating their double trophy victories throughout the month of May.