Expert: Ankara may hand over mediation role to Baku for Moscow-Kyiv talks

Türkiye may transfer the role of mediator in the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations to Azerbaijan, and both Moscow and Kyiv are unlikely to object to Baku's involvement, according to Report, which cites Turkish analyst Engin Ozer.

"One option could be for Türkiye to hand over all the agreed points from the Istanbul talks to Azerbaijan and ensure that negotiations take place in Baku with diplomatic support. Moscow and Kyiv would not oppose the Baku option," he noted.

Ozer pointed out that the country serving as mediator after the war ends will have a very strong position on the international stage. "Therefore, Moscow will not want to give this 'gift' to a NATO member country. The Russian administration will likely prefer a country that is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement for gaining such prestige," he said.

During the Cernobbio International Forum in Italy, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that Baku is ready to participate in resolving the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv, if needed.