LEADER TO LEADER DIPLOMACY IN PEACEMAKING: THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

Authors : Şuay Nilhan Açıkalın

Pages : 1451-1473

Doi:10.35408/comuybd.1550252

View : 95 | Download : 147

Publication Date : 2025-07-23

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Leaders are central to the individual-level decision-making process in international relations, with their personality, beliefs, and political understanding significantly shaping outcomes. In the context of peacemaking, a complex process involving multiple actors and stages leaders play a determinative role in fostering dialogue and negotiation. Traditional approaches to peacemaking often focus on institutional or structural factors, but the emerging concept of leader-to-leader diplomacy offers a new lens for understanding how leaders influence bilateral and multilateral relations. This framework emphasizes four dimensions: entrepreneurship, intense interaction, flexible thinking, and interpersonal friendship. This article explores the role of leader-to-leader diplomacy in peacemaking efforts during the Russian-Ukrainian War, highlighting its significance in the broader context of international conflict resolution. Key initiatives, such as the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the Dolmabahçe Talks, and the Black Sea Grain Initiative, illustrate how leader-to-leader diplomacy facilitated critical breakthroughs. The Antalya Diplomacy Forum marked the beginning of large-scale negotiations, while the Dolmabahçe Talks facilitated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President Volodymir Zelensky, and President Vladimir Putin represented the first and only major peace talks during the conflict. These efforts underscore the importance of entrepreneurial leadership and flexible thinking in advancing peacemaking processes. Additionally, the multilateral dimension of peacemaking, exemplified by deep interactions between regional leaders through visits and phone calls, further demonstrates the practical application of leader-to-leader diplomacy. The study argues that leader-to-leader diplomacy was instrumental in the Russian-Ukrainian War, offering a robust framework for analyzing peacemaking processes in other international conflicts. This approach can enrich both theoretical and practical understanding of the role of leaders in the peacemaking process in international relations.
Keywords : lider diplomasisi, Rusya-Ukrayna savaşı, barış yapım, Tahıl Koridoru Antlaşması Anlaşması, Anlaşma

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL