News Desk: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for intensified global diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, telling French President Emmanuel Macron that “all diplomatic tools” must be mobilized to achieve a just and lasting peace.

The remarks came during a bilateral meeting Sunday on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, according to a statement released by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

Erdogan reiterated Ankara’s commitment to mediating between Moscow and Kyiv, stressing that Türkiye will continue working to bring both sides back to the negotiating table for “peaceful negotiations.” Ankara has positioned itself as a key intermediary since the early stages of the conflict, previously helping broker agreements on grain shipments and prisoner exchanges.

The two leaders also reviewed broader regional issues, including the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. Erdogan emphasized the urgency of sustaining the truce and ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian aid delivery. He repeated his stance that a two-state framework remains the only legitimate basis for lasting peace in the region, noting that Türkiye is actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to support such a solution.

On bilateral ties, Erdogan said mutual steps taken to strengthen cooperation between Türkiye and France are “important,” signaling interest in easing recent tensions and deepening collaboration on defense, energy, and regional security.

The meeting took place as world leaders gathered in Johannesburg for the two-day G20 summit, which is focused on navigating global crises ranging from geopolitical conflicts to economic instability.