Turkey conceded on December 24 that Russia's war on Ukraine "will not end easily," despite Ankara's efforts to arrange peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Turkey, which has friendly relations with both of its Black Sea neighbors, has positioned itself as a neutral player and tried to broker a truce. "It appears this war will not end easily," Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said during a year-end briefing in Ankara. "It would not be wrong to say that despite all our goodwill and call for a cease-fire, this war is likely to continue in 2023."
Turkey Says Ukraine War 'Will Not End Easily'
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar (file photo)