On 1 November, First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Sergiy Kyslytsya participated in the annual TRT World Forum 2025 held in Istanbul and delivered remarks during the panel discussion titled “The Ukraine Conflict: Diplomacy Amid the Fog of War.”

In his address, Sergiy Kyslytsya emphasized that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which has continued since 2014, poses a challenge not only to European but also to global security. He stressed that diplomacy remains the only viable path toward a just and lasting peace. However, no compromise can involve concessions on Ukraine’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.

“We all seek peace, but genuine peace is only possible on the foundation of justice. Compromise does not mean capitulation,” he emphasized.

The First Deputy Minister noted that the peace process can only become meaningful once the aggressor acknowledges its responsibility and ceases its violations of international law. He pointed out that the current war represents an attempt by Russia to restore its imperial influence and to dismantle the rules-based international order.

Despite the scale of the conflict, Sergiy Kyslytsya highlighted that diplomacy continues to function effectively and that Euro-Atlantic unity remains strong. According to him, the states of the Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine have demonstrated that shared values and solidarity are the most effective response to aggression.

Addressing the issue of food security, Sergiy Kyslytsya stressed that despite the ongoing war, Ukraine continues to serve as one of the world’s leading grain exporters.

“There is no shortage of grain in the world — there is a shortage of justice. Every year, at least one billion tons of food are wasted, while Russia turns food into a weapon. Ukraine knows what hunger means — we remember the Holodomor,” he said.

He further noted that using food as a tool of coercion constitutes a form of war crime that must receive proper international legal assessment.

Sergiy Kyslytsya also emphasized the important role of Türkiye as a NATO member and strategic partner of Ukraine, capable of contributing to regional security, mediation, and diplomatic efforts toward a just and sustainable peace. He drew particular attention to emerging threats such as cyber warfare, hybrid tactics, and the potential use of nuclear weapons, warning that any use of nuclear arms would trigger a strong and unified international response — including from China, which firmly opposes such scenarios.

The panel brought together representatives of international organizations, diplomatic and academic circles, who discussed the global consequences of the Russian–Ukrainian war, humanitarian challenges, and prospects for diplomatic resolution.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Sergiy Kyslytsya held bilateral meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, as well as several interviews with leading Turkish and Ukrainian media outlets.