Turkey Moves To Prevent Putin's Reconquest Of Constantinople

Turkey’s active role as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, notably hosting negotiations in Istanbul in May 2025, stems from both strategic pragmatism and deep-seated concerns about Russian ambitions in the region. As a NATO member with a history of balancing relations with both Moscow and Kyiv, Turkey has positioned itself as a neutral facilitator, leveraging its diplomatic ties and geographic proximity to the Black Sea. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan chaired the first direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in three years, securing a significant prisoner swap of 1,000 POWs each, though failing to achieve a ceasefire. Turkey’s insistence on hosting these talks, as reiterated by Fidan in Moscow and Kyiv visits, reflects a broader anxiety that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s territorial goals extend beyond Ukraine. Some Turkish officials and analysts privately fear that Putin’s imperial vision includes reclaiming Constantinople, the historical seat of the Byzantine Empire, now Istanbul, a city of immense cultural and strategic significance.
 
The fear of Putin eyeing Constantinople is rooted in Russia’s historical obsession with the city, once the heart of Orthodox Christianity and a symbol of imperial glory. Russian nationalists, including some close to Putin, have long viewed Istanbul as a lost prize, referencing the 19th-century Russo-Turkish wars and the 1700 Constantinople Treaty that marked Russia’s growing influence over the Ottoman Empire. While Putin has not publicly declared intent to retake Istanbul, his annexation of Crimea and rhetoric about restoring Russia’s historical territories fuel Turkish suspicions. Istanbul’s control of the Bosphorus Strait, a critical chokepoint for Black Sea trade and military access, makes it a geopolitical linchpin. Turkey’s mediation in the peace talks, including its earlier success with the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative, is partly a defensive strategy to keep Russia engaged diplomatically and deter any escalation that could threaten Turkish sovereignty over Istanbul. Posts on X reflect this sentiment, with some suggesting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is keen to control the peace process to safeguard Turkey’s regional influence.
 
Turkey’s involvement is also driven by domestic and international imperatives to project itself as a regional power while countering Russian expansionism. Erdoğan’s government sees hosting peace talks as a way to bolster Turkey’s global standing and deflect criticism of its pragmatic ties with Russia, such as energy imports. By facilitating dialogue, Turkey aims to prevent a prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict that could embolden Putin to pursue bolder objectives, potentially destabilizing the Black Sea region and threatening Istanbul’s security. The lack of progress in the May 2025 talks, with Russia’s demands for Ukrainian territorial concessions deemed “unacceptable” by Kyiv, underscores the challenge. Yet, Turkey’s persistence—evident in Fidan’s call for a second round of talks—signals a commitment to keeping Russia at the negotiating table, driven by the unspoken fear that a victorious or emboldened Russia could turn its gaze toward Constantinople, unraveling Turkey’s strategic and historical hold over its greatest city.