Expedited Peace Endeavor by Trump Involving Ukraine and Turkey's Role

In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, an op-ed published in Türkiye Today suggests a path to peace that emphasises Russia's need to abandon aggression, rather than relinquishing occupied territories. This perspective is echoed by Turkey, which has been a consistent supporter of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity throughout the war.

As the world considers potential solutions, Turkey's involvement in a peacekeeping mission is seen as essential for its success. Turkish sources argue that the mission should primarily consist of neutral countries, a proposition that aligns with Turkey's suggested composition for the peacekeeping force. The proposed plan does not specify the primary composition of the force, leaving room for such suggestions.

However, the European plan for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine faces potential challenges. Russia views Europe as a party to the conflict, which could complicate any peacekeeping efforts. It is likely that this plan will face pushback from Russia. The operational plan reportedly involves a force of 50,000 soldiers, with the Western military presence backed by allied air and naval units to protect Ukrainian airspace.

The proposed plan offers a new payment and planning structure for hospitals, including the introduction of 106 additional OPS services triggering hybrid DRGs from 2026. This covers surgeries like appendectomies, heart interventions, and fracture treatments, aiming to include over two million hospital cases previously treated as inpatients.

Meanwhile, on the domestic front, Turkey's tourism industry is thriving. In the first half of 2025, the country brought in $25.6B in tourism revenue and had 26M visitors. This success is further underscored by Galatasaray's perfect start in the Turkish Super Lig, having won 4-0 over Kayserispor.

Amidst these developments, Ukraine's Ambassador to Ankara, Neriman Celal, acknowledged Turkey's interest in a significant role in a proposed peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. However, no concrete plans have been evaluated by Turkey regarding sending peacekeepers to Ukraine, according to Defense Ministry sources.

In light of these complexities, Turkey is urging caution regarding the European proposal for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine. The mission is intended to serve as a deterrent to prevent further Russian invasion, according to a Finnish daily. However, excluding Turkey from the proposed peacekeeping mission could undermine the effectiveness of ending the war in a meaningful way.

As the international community continues to grapple with finding a solution to the conflict, the role of Turkey and its stance on the proposed peacekeeping mission remains a crucial factor to consider.