Ukraine's foreign minister suggests Erdogan could mediate a Zelenskiy-Putin meeting, Trump announces an energy truce between Russia and Ukraine, European gas prices rise over Strait of Hormuz concerns, and a tour bus crash in Manisa kills 11.

In this episode

• Ukraine Says Zelenskiy-Putin Meeting Possible With Trump or Erdogan
• Trump Announces Energy Truce Between Russia and Ukraine
• European Gas Prices Open Higher Amid Strait of Hormuz Supply Worries
• Tour Bus and Tow Truck Collide in Manisa: 11 Dead, 27 Injured

Transcript

Deniz: Good morning and happy Monday. Welcome to Turkey Brief Daily. It's October 12th. Today we're looking at a possible path to peace in Ukraine with a Turkish angle, rising European gas prices, and a tragic bus crash in Manisa.

Maya: Good morning, everyone! A lot going on, as usual. Let's start with the Ukraine story?

Deniz: Sure. Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, says President Zelenskiy could sit down with President Putin — with either US President Trump at the table or through mediation by President Erdogan. He says Kyiv is ready for new three-way talks involving the US, Russia and Ukraine, and wants them held "as soon as possible."

Maya: Interesting. So Turkey is still very much in the picture as a potential mediator here?

Deniz: Right. Sybiha argues a direct encounter between Zelenskiy and Putin is necessary to end the war, and he says it could be arranged either way — with Trump's involvement or under Erdogan's mediation.

Maya: Got it. And there's also been a big announcement from Washington?

Deniz: Yes. Trump says an energy truce has been declared between Russia and Ukraine. Both sides have committed to not striking each other's energy infrastructure, even while the wider conflict continues. Trump said it takes effect immediately and urged both sides: "Do not break this."

Maya: That came after he criticized Zelenskiy for attacking Russian oil refineries, right?

Deniz: Exactly. The day before, Trump had told reporters that Zelenskiy shouldn't hit refineries because those strikes cause global problems. He also suggested Ukrainians should choose a new president.

Maya: Hm. OK. And this ties into the energy market story?

Deniz: It does. European gas prices opened higher this week. Benchmark Dutch TTF contracts for November climbed 1.3% to 82.50 euros per megawatt hour. The worry is the Strait of Hormuz. Attacks on tankers there are raising concerns about LNG supply security. Before the war, roughly 20% of global LNG trade passed through that strait.

Maya: That's a big number. So even with the truce talk, prices are still going up?

Deniz: Exactly. The Hormuz situation is a separate concern. European gas storage is at about 73.6% capacity, for what it's worth.

Maya: OK. And finally, some sad news from home?

Deniz: Yes. A tour bus and a tow truck collided on a motorway near Akhisar in Manisa province on Sunday morning. Eleven people were killed and 27 were injured. The bus was traveling from Bursa toward Izmir. Ambulances, firefighters and police were dispatched to the scene.

Maya: That's really awful. Our thoughts are with the families.

Deniz: Absolutely. And that's where we'll leave it for today. You can read the full stories at turkiyebrief.com. Thanks for listening.

Maya: Have a good Monday. See you tomorrow!

Voices in this episode are AI-generated. Stories are based on Turkey Brief's reporting.