Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov to attend Antalya Diplomatic Forum

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to visit Turkey on Friday and Saturday to participate in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, announced the Russian and Turkish Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who spoke to the press, Lavrov will meet his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, on this occasion, a confirmation echoed by Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keçeli.

Lavrov's previous visit to Turkey dates back to April 2023, during which he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

Moreover, the Russian minister participated in the Antalya Forum in March 2022, just weeks after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and visited the Turkish capital in June of the same year.

This forum gathers heads of state and government, ministers, diplomats, business leaders, and researchers every year in this seaside resort.

Turkey, a Black Sea coastal state like Russia and Ukraine, has managed to maintain ties with both warring parties since the conflict began.

It has been significantly involved in the maritime export of Ukrainian cereals through a secure corridor under the auspices of the UN, while also facing criticism for actively aiding in bypassing Western sanctions against Russia.