Turkey Concerned Over Escalating Russian Attacks in Ukraine

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has expressed concern over the increase in attacks against Ukrainian civilians during his recent visit to Russia. He stated that Turkey is prepared to serve as a mediator between Moscow and Kyiv to end the four-year war, which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths.

“The recent escalation in the Ukraine war and the danger of its geographical expansion are sources of serious concern,” Fidan said during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as reported by AFP on Wednesday (17/06/2026).

“Specifically, the increase in attacks on targets behind the front lines and attacks that threaten the safety of navigation in the Black Sea impact the interests of third parties. Therefore, several de-escalation measures are necessary,” he added.

His remarks came a day after Russian missile and drone attacks killed 11 people across Ukraine and damaged a cathedral in central Kyiv.

Ukraine responded with strikes against oil refineries on the outskirts of Moscow, attacks designed to hit vital Russian oil revenues which, according to Kyiv, fund the war.

Turkey has hosted several rounds of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations seeking to end the war, though none have yet resulted in a breakthrough.

Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains hardline territorial and political demands that Kyiv considers a demand for surrender. He has also rejected several requests for a face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Kyiv’s allies met in France on Tuesday at the G7 Summit, where US President Donald Trump urged Moscow to “make a deal” to end the war.

Russia’s decision to launch a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, leaving much of eastern and southern Ukraine destroyed, forcing millions from their homes, and causing tens of thousands of civilian deaths.