Istanbul: The choice of Istanbul as a venue for talks between Russia and the United States was not accidental, and the negotiation process will continue in Turkey, Halil Korkmaz, deputy chairman for foreign relations of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), told RIA Novosti on Saturday. On Thursday, Russia and the US held the second round of talks in Istanbul that aim to normalize the work of their diplomatic missions.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Korkmaz emphasized Turkey's pivotal role in international diplomacy. "Look at how the Antalya Diplomacy Forum has brought together guests from all over the world. Turkey not only gathers everyone around the table but serves as a 'voice of conscience.' Turkey has become the center of global diplomacy in a multipolar world in order to achieve common goals. Problems in Syria, Libya are solved through Turkey, with Turkey's mediation. In this regard, negotiations of the Russian and US delegations and the choice of Istanbul as a platform is not accidental. The process will continue in Turkey. We should not be surprised by this. Turkey's view of the process is based on justice, Ankara does not pursue any goals," Korkmaz said.

A summit between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey is possible but it would require combined efforts of all sides, Korkmaz added. "I think the question should not be whether it would be possible to meet in Turkey but rather how to make it happen in Turkey," the politician said.