Ankara: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has issued a stark warning about the potential escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war, cautioning that the conflict could force Russia to resort to its 'last option' if it continues to grow in scope and intensity.

According to Anadolu Agency, Fidan expressed his concerns during a discussion at Anadolu's Editor's Desk program. He highlighted that the war, described as a war of destruction, could push Moscow towards extreme measures if it continues to expand geographically and in terms of its targets and methods. This topic also surfaced during Fidan's discussions with Russian officials, with Western nations being acutely aware of the looming danger.

Fidan elaborated on the situation, emphasizing the need for international intervention to halt the war. He pointed out that the conflict is increasingly affecting civilian areas and noted that mediators, particularly from the United States, acknowledge that as long as both warring parties believe they still possess military capabilities to wield against one another, meaningful concessions are unlikely.

He underscored the difficulty mediators face when neither side is willing to compromise, leading to a continued escalation of violence. Fidan remarked that only when both sides are thoroughly exhausted might they consider negotiating peace. He recalled a period when negotiations seemed promising, but progress was stalled due to unresolved territorial disputes, particularly in the Donetsk region.

Fidan further explained that after negotiations faltered, the conflict evolved into a more destructive war, with civilian areas increasingly coming under attack. He warned that when such destruction extends beyond the battlefield, the conflict transcends traditional military objectives and becomes a question of national survival, potentially leading to the use of all available means.

He concluded by noting the differing perceptions and strategies among European, Russian, American, and Ukrainian stakeholders, stressing that the principle of prioritizing an end to the war above all else has not yet taken root. Fidan also mentioned that some parties believe the costs of ending the war under current conditions outweigh the benefits, contributing to the ongoing reluctance to seek a resolution.