Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a new form of diplomacy has emerged-quiet yet powerful, and conducted not through airports or summits but via the railways. As airspace over Ukraine remains closed and roads unsafe due to the ongoing war, trains have become the default and symbolic path for foreign leaders visiting Kyiv. This unconventional route, known as “iron diplomacy,” has evolved into both a logistical necessity and a visible commitment of solidarity. Among those now utilizing this route is Turkiye, whose latest diplomatic maneuver underscores Ankara’s growing influence and ambitions in the region.

The overnight train ride from southeastern Poland to Kyiv, lasting roughly 10 hours, has become a hallmark of modern wartime diplomacy. Leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and US President Joe Biden have taken this trip, protected by covert operations and decoy trains designed to confuse Russian intelligence. These trips are usually shrouded in secrecy, with darkened windows and undisclosed itineraries. But when Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made the journey, something was different: the curtains were left open.

This wasn’t an oversight-it was a deliberate message. By allowing visibility during the journey, Turkiye conveyed confidence in its diplomatic posture and its security calculations. For a country walking the fine line between support for Ukraine and ongoing ties with Russia, the move was calculated. It reflected both Turkiye’s growing role as a broker in the conflict and its desire to be seen as a serious geopolitical actor. That Turkish journalists were also present-something not done in past visits-underscored Ankara’s effort to publicly brand its efforts.

This symbolic gesture was more than just a train ride.........

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