BRUSSELS

The European Union appreciates Turkiye’s diplomatic efforts in mediating between Ukraine and Russia, an EU official said on Friday.

The European Commission’s lead foreign policy spokesperson Peter Stano said they "appreciate the clear position" adopted by Turkiye, noting that the country "was very clear in its position in condemning the war and ... made great efforts to play the role of the mediator."

He underlined that Turkiye managed to organize the first meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers after Russia launched the war on Ukraine, calling Turkiye's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s recent visits to Moscow and Ukraine's western Lviv city "very important."

Stano pointed out that Turkiye "acted as a partner and as a member of NATO," explaining that the EU works with Turkiye and other countries that did not adopt sanctions against Russia, expecting them to put pressure on Russia "in the areas where they can."

He asserted that Turkiye "has done a lot in the area of diplomacy in playing the role of mediator."

As part of Turkiye’s ongoing efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, Cavusoglu held a talk with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday, and met with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in Lviv the day after.

Hopes for a cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia have increased a little more, he said after meeting with Kuleba.

The European Union adopted four sanctions packages since the beginning of the crisis.

The measures include, among others, banning the export of luxury goods to Russia, targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, top diplomat Lavrov, oligarchs, and military officers, as well as excluding Russian and Belarusian banks from the SWIFT international banking system and banning broadcasting activities of Sputnik and RT media outlets.

At least 780 civilians have been killed so far in Ukraine, and 1,252 injured, according to UN estimates. It has warned, however, that the true toll is likely much higher as it has not been able to gain access to areas of increased hostilities.

Over 3.2 million Ukrainians fled to the neighboring countries according to the UN refugee agency.