(MENAFN) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Sunday that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made Ankara’s commitment to joining the European Union unmistakably clear, emphasizing that the next step must come from Brussels. He noted that “a political will in Europe” supporting Türkiye’s accession would be sufficient to overcome the remaining barriers.

In an interview referenced in general reports during his visit to Berlin, Fidan also commented on the war in Ukraine, saying that both Moscow and Kyiv are now “more prepared for peace” than they were earlier in the conflict. He stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “ready to accept a ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement under certain conditions,” and that this message has been relayed to Ukraine, with Ankara engaged in parts of the ongoing diplomatic effort.

Addressing discussions about security guarantees for Ukraine, Fidan stressed the distinction between NATO forces and international monitoring missions that do not fall under NATO structures. He said the central issue under debate is whether the United States might offer a security guarantee comparable to NATO’s Article 5, while European countries maintain that Ukraine must make such decisions autonomously. At the same time, he noted, Russia views the maximum scope of any arrangement through the lens of its own security.

Fidan underlined that any sustainable peace deal must provide long-term stability not only for Ukraine but for Europe as a whole. He argued that proposed provisions require close scrutiny and need to include “explicit commitments” ensuring neither side will attack the other “for any reason,” a framework he believes could uphold peace for decades.

When asked about hybrid threats attributed to Russia—such as cyberattacks and incidents targeting essential infrastructure—Fidan said Türkiye has encountered Russia in several conflict zones while still maintaining communication channels. He noted that Türkiye responds firmly when its interests are threatened, but cannot afford an enduring confrontation with neighboring states.

He also commented on Europe’s evolving security landscape, identifying three core themes: NATO’s central role, the necessity of reinforcing Europe’s defense industry—exposed as inadequate during the Ukraine war—and ongoing uncertainties surrounding the future of U.S. involvement on the continent. He suggested that countries including the UK, France, Germany, Türkiye, and Italy should play a guiding role in shaping this conversation.

On Türkiye’s own EU prospects, Fidan reiterated that Ankara remains committed to full membership and expects concrete advancement through the opening of new negotiating chapters. He stated that past delays were rooted more in political stances taken by some EU members than in technical shortcomings.

Turning to Syria, Fidan said the country is gradually emerging from the devastation of economic collapse and prolonged conflict, noting that around 500,000 Syrians have voluntarily returned from Türkiye. He cautioned, however, that broader regional stabilization efforts are endangered by the consequences of Israel’s current actions.

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