Turkey is strengthening its position as a mediator in armed conflicts by organizing talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. This is another step by Ankara towards building an image as a diplomatic leader.

A high-level trilateral meeting between delegations from Turkey, the US, and Ukraine started in Istanbul on Friday under the leadership of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, local Turkish media reported.

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were in Istanbul on Friday for what was billed as their first direct peace talks in more than three years, under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two.