Ankara: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to pay an official visit to Ankara on Monday, as reported by diplomatic sources. Lavrov will engage in discussions with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, and tourism.

According to Anadolu Agency, the talks will also center on ending the ongoing war in Ukraine, with an emphasis on achieving a just and lasting peace through diplomatic means. Discussions will include recent interactions between the US and Russia, as well as Turkey's role in facilitating this dialogue. Turkey's willingness to host future negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, reminiscent of its involvement in March 2022, will be emphasized.

The agenda will further cover regional and global issues, including the situations in Syria and the Middle East. Fidan is expected to affirm Turkey's commitment to eliminating terrorist elements from Syria, while stressing the importance of maintaining Syria's territorial integrity and political unity.

Additionally, Fidan will condemn Israel's actions perceived as threats to Syria's territorial integrity and advocate for the initiation of reconstruction efforts to ensure Syria's stability. The need to make the ceasefire in Gaza permanent and to increase humanitarian aid to the region will be highlighted. Fidan will also denounce the forced displacement of Palestinians, reiterating that peace in the Middle East can only be achieved with a two-state solution.

This visit follows Lavrov's last trip to Turkey on October 18, 2024, for the 3+3 Regional Cooperation Platform meeting, and their meeting on February 20 in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers meeting.