In a surprising diplomatic development amid a prolonged and bitter conflict, Russia and Ukraine are set to engage in direct talks next week in Türkiye. The meeting, confirmed by sources within the Turkish Defense Ministry and reported by CNN Turk, is scheduled to take place on April 15 and 16 at the Turkish Naval Forces headquarters in Ankara. The primary focus of these discussions will be the security situation in the Black Sea, a flashpoint in the broader geopolitical struggle between Moscow and Kyiv.

This marks a rare instance of direct dialogue between Russian and Ukrainian delegations since the breakdown of most diplomatic channels following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While backchannel negotiations have continued through various intermediaries, including the United Nations and Türkiye, these upcoming meetings signal a possible new chapter-one that could, however tentatively, lead to de-escalation in a strategically critical maritime region.

Türkiye, a NATO member with historically strong ties to both Kyiv and Moscow, has played a vital mediating role in past negotiations. The upcoming meetings in Ankara represent another effort by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government to carve out a diplomatic path where others have failed. Notably, the talks follow an earlier meeting in Riyadh between Russian and US experts, where the idea of reviving the Black Sea Grain Initiative was reportedly endorsed by both sides.

At the heart of the proposed discussions lies the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a crucial agreement originally brokered in July 2022 by the United Nations and........

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