Turkey has offered to host negotiations “between both parties” to end the war in Ukraine after backing an American push for peace.
As the war enters its fourth year, the offer follows talks between the foreign ministers of Russia and Turkey in Ankara on Monday and a new US-led drive to end the conflict that has taken a sharp turn in Moscow’s favour.
“The new US initiative carries a lot of weight,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in a joint media conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in the Turkish capital. “It is results orientated, and we believe that both parties should participate in talks to achieve peace and a resolution to this conflict.”
Ankara is ready to host potential future peace negotiations to end the war. “We stand ready and willing to provide all sorts of support to this process,” Mr Fidan said. “As before, we are also open to host these talks in Turkey.”
Mr Lavrov's visit to Ankara comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital last week and announced he would not make an expected trip to Saudi Arabia, in response to the US-Russian meeting in Riyadh where extensive talks were held without Ukrainian participation.
The Russian foreign minister later met with Mr Erdogan.
President Donald Trump has changed the American approach to Russia, appearing to align his administration with the Kremlin's aims more tightly than any US president since the start of the Cold War.
President Trump has repeatedly said he wants to end the war, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. But he appears prepared to do so on terms far more acceptable to Moscow than Kyiv. Ukraine is refusing to recognise any land seized by Vladimir Putin's forces over the past three years as Russian territory.
The contours of any agreement still remain unclear, although Russia said in the Riyadh talks last week that it rejected outright any western or Nato forces being stationed in Ukraine as peacekeepers.
“We do not know what these security guarantees are going to look like, but the technical preparations are under way,” said Mr Fidan, referring to conditions being discussed in Washington's talks with Moscow.
“We believe that all parties need to exhibit more realistic stances [ …] without these talks,” Mr Lavrov said in the press conference with Mr Fidan. “Also, without doing away with the reasons that gave way to this war, this war will never come to an end.”
Turkey has maintained diplomatic ties with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the conflict, and has attempted to build a reputation as a mediating power. It has provided military drones to Ukraine while also forging deep economic ties with Moscow in the form of oil and gas imports and burgeoning numbers of Russian tourists visiting Turkish cities and beaches.
Talks on Monday also covered a nuclear power plant on Turkey's Mediterranean coast that is being built by a subsidiary of Russia's state nuclear power company, Rosatom.
“Our colleagues will continue to focus on these matters so that the reactors in Akkuyu can be operationalised soon,” Mr Lavrov said in the press conference.
Mr Lavrov and Mr Fidan meet frequently – their most recent encounter was last week in Johannesburg, on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting. Lavrov's last visit to Turkey was on October 18, 2024.
Turkey hosted direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in March 2022, just after the start of the war. That allowed it to broker an agreement for grain to be shipped through the Black Sea despite the hostilities. Moscow refused to renew the deal in July 2023, although Mr Lavrov said last week that the US and Russia had agreed to the possibility of reviving the agreement.
Mr Lavrov blamed the UK's then-leadership under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson for preventing an end to the conflict through talks in Istanbul in April 2022, just weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion.
“We had reached an agreement in Istanbul at that time,” Mr Lavrov claimed. “We outlined a series of principles which were sort of put forward by the Ukrainians … but the West, the UK Prime Minister, Prime Minister Johnson, did not want this agreement to be signed.”
The talks in Ankara also covered Syria, where Russia reduced its military presence following the fall of its ally former President Bashar Al Assad in December. Turkey has widely been seen as the regional winner from the fall of the regime, and is set to benefit from wider influence over its southern neighbour under the new transitional authorities in the country.
“Russia and Turkey are ready and willing to work together to improve the situation in Syria, to instil peace and stability in Syria,” Mr Lavrov said.
Turkey's main goal in Syria is stemming the presence of the separatist militant group the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has offshoot branches in the north-east of the country.
Ankara has vowed to eliminate the forces by military means if continuing talks to integrate the groups into a new centralised Syrian army controlled by Damascus do not bear fruit. It is also concerned about the presence of Isis militants, whose continued presence in Syria represents a regional security threat.
“The international community, when it comes to fight against Daesh (Isis) and the PKK, needs to exhibit a common or shared stance. Certain positive steps are being taken in the region,” Mr Fidan said, without providing details.
Turkey also reiterated its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict to Russia, including that the ceasefire in Gaza should be made permanent, and a rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians, following President Trump’s announcement of plans to take over the coastal enclave.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
CREW
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Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Our legal advisor
Rasmi Ragy is a senior counsel at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Prosecutor in Egypt with more than 40 years experience across the GCC.
Education: Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 1978.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Coming soon
Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura
When the W Dubai – The Palm hotel opens at the end of this year, one of the highlights will be Massimo Bottura’s new restaurant, Torno Subito, which promises “to take guests on a journey back to 1960s Italy”. It is the three Michelinstarred chef’s first venture in Dubai and should be every bit as ambitious as you would expect from the man whose restaurant in Italy, Osteria Francescana, was crowned number one in this year’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Akira Back Dubai
Another exciting opening at the W Dubai – The Palm hotel is South Korean chef Akira Back’s new restaurant, which will continue to showcase some of the finest Asian food in the world. Back, whose Seoul restaurant, Dosa, won a Michelin star last year, describes his menu as, “an innovative Japanese cuisine prepared with a Korean accent”.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The highly experimental chef, whose dishes are as much about spectacle as taste, opens his first restaurant in Dubai next year. Housed at The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will feature contemporary twists on recipes that date back to the 1300s, including goats’ milk cheesecake. Always remember with a Blumenthal dish: nothing is quite as it seems.
Squad
Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas)
((Disclaimer))
The Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG (“Bank”) assumes no liability or guarantee for the accuracy, balance, or completeness of the information in this publication. The content may change at any time due to given circumstances, and the Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG is under no obligation to update information once it has been published. This publication is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, a recommendation or an invitation by, or on behalf of, Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch), Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG, or any of its group affiliates to make any investments or obtain services. This publication has not been reviewed, disapproved or approved by the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) Central Bank, Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) or any other relevant licensing authorities in the UAE. It may not be relied upon by or distributed to retail clients. Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch) is regulated by the DFSA and this advertorial is intended for Professional Clients (as defined by the DFSA) who have sufficient financial experience and understanding of financial markets, products or transactions and any associated risks.
The permutations for UAE going to the 2018 World Cup finals
To qualify automatically
UAE must beat Iraq.
Australia must lose in Japan and at home to Thailand, with their losing margins and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
To finish third and go into a play-off with the other third-placed AFC side for a chance to reach the inter-confederation play-off match
UAE must beat Iraq.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Teaching in coronavirus times
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Company%20profile
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GRAN%20TURISMO
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
Rating: 3.5/5
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Disturbing%20facts%20and%20figures
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McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh875,000
On sale: now
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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