Fidan says Ukraine conflict causing serious damage to Europe

The war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for around five years, is causing serious harm to Europe, but short-term ceasefires show the possibility of achieving lasting peace, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, according to RIA Novosti.

“The conflict in the heart of Europe, now in its fifth year, is causing serious damage to the region and to the whole of Europe. Short-term ceasefires in Ukraine show the possibility of laying the groundwork for a durable truce, and Turkey will continue its mediation efforts,” Fidan said, speaking at a press conference in Berlin.

The Turkish minister also warned of the risks of excluding Ankara from Europe’s defense architecture, saying it would contradict the “security objectives set by the EU itself.”