UPDATE - Türkiye: Russia’s referenda move in Ukraine shows ‘seriousness of situation’

ADDS TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT

By Servet Gunerigok

NEW YORK (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Tuesday that the decision by Russia to announce referendums shows “the seriousness of the situation” in Ukraine.

“Recent Russian decision on partial mobilization and the announcement of annexation referenda in Luhansk, Donetsk, Herson and Zaporijia demonstrate the seriousness of the situation,” Cavusoglu said while co-chairing the 12th Ministerial Meeting of UN Groups of Friends of Mediation on the sidelines of 77th session of UN General Assembly in New York.

The top diplomat said there is a need for a more proactive approach to diplomacy and mediation.

“This is why we selected, ‘Avoiding Humanitarian Crises Through Mediation,’ as the theme of our meeting today,” he said in opening remarks. “That’s what we try to do through our engagement with Ukraine and Russia.”

Cavusoglu warned that the longer the war continues, the more difficult it is to reach a “just and mutually acceptable” solution.

He stressed that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way out of the seven-month conflict.

Cavusoglu said Turkish authorities have initially been criticized by “some partners” for their diplomatic efforts between Russia and Ukraine.

“But now most agree that continuation of the war will inflict more damage to everyone, and foremost the Ukrainians,” he said, adding that mediation can still protect lives when political dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes are difficult.

He cited the Istanbul grain deal as an example of diplomatic mediation, saying while millions of vulnerable people have been under additional stress because of rising food prices, the agreement avoided additional financial stress.

“Innovative approaches like this in conflict resolution and mediation could be used to alleviate other global concerns,” he added.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said the meeting with Cavusoglu was co-chaired with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Pekka Haavisto.

"The role of conflict prevention and mediation approaches, including the recent 'Istanbul Grain Deal', in preventing humanitarian crises was discussed," it said.

The ministry said that the "Group of Friends of Mediation” was "formed following the 'Mediation for Peace Initiative' launched jointly by Türkiye and Finland in 2010."

"It aims to raise awareness on peaceful resolution of conflicts. The Group’s membership has risen to 61 and it takes on a crucial role for keeping peace mediation on the agenda at this particular moment in time when the conflicts are getting more complex worldwide, and their frequency worldwide is increasing," it added.

*Merve Aydogan contributed to this story from Ankara.