Türkiye to Host First Joint Meeting of R4 and E3 Groups on Regional Security, Yemen and Ukraine War

ANKARA (Terror Monitor) — Türkiye will host the first joint meeting of the newly established R4 group and the E3 group of Britain, France and Germany to discuss regional security, the situation in Palestine, developments in Yemen and the Strait of Hormuz, and efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry official.

The meeting is being organized at Ankara’s initiative and will bring together the foreign ministers of the seven countries in a new diplomatic format aimed at exploring practical cooperation and improving coordination on pressing international and regional issues.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host the meeting, which will mark the first time the two groups have convened together.

“On Türkiye’s initiative, the seven countries will meet for the first time in the R4-plus-E3 format,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry official said, adding that the participants would assess opportunities for practical cooperation and coordination in the near future.

The meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions, ongoing conflict in the Middle East and continued international efforts to find a path toward ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Regional Security and Cooperation at the Center of Talks

Fidan is expected to emphasize that countries in the region must take primary responsibility for addressing regional security challenges.

According to the Turkish official, Ankara considers strengthening regional cooperation mechanisms based on regional ownership a priority.

Türkiye has increasingly sought to promote diplomatic initiatives involving regional and international partners, arguing that countries directly affected by regional conflicts should play a central role in developing solutions.

The joint R4-E3 meeting will provide a platform for discussions on how the participating countries can coordinate their approaches to security challenges and identify areas where closer diplomatic engagement could produce practical results.

The agenda is expected to cover the situation in Palestine, developments in Yemen, the security situation around the Strait of Hormuz and possible ways to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end.

The inclusion of these issues reflects the broad geographical scope of the proposed discussions, spanning the Middle East, the Gulf region and Europe.

What Is the R4 Group?

The R4 group was established in 2026 and comprises Egypt, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are signatories to the Makkah Defence Agreement, while Egypt is also a member of the four-country grouping.

The R4 format brings together four countries with significant diplomatic and security interests in the Middle East and the wider Islamic world.

The group is expected to provide a framework for consultations on regional developments and cooperation among its members.

The forthcoming meeting with the E3 countries will expand those discussions by bringing the four R4 members together with three major European powers.

The proposed R4-plus-E3 format could provide an opportunity for the participating countries to exchange views on regional conflicts, maritime security and wider international diplomatic challenges.

E3 Group Has Long History of Iran Nuclear Diplomacy

The E3 group consists of Britain, France and Germany. It was established more than two decades ago to coordinate diplomatic engagement over Iran’s nuclear programme.

The three European countries have played a prominent role in negotiations and diplomatic efforts concerning Iran’s nuclear activities and relations with Western governments.

Their participation in the joint meeting would bring European perspectives to discussions on Middle Eastern security, including developments in Yemen, Palestine and the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime passage for international energy shipments, making security in the area a major concern for countries in the Gulf and beyond.

The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the seven countries to discuss their respective positions and explore areas for coordinated diplomatic engagement.

Türkiye Previously Proposed Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire

Türkiye has also sought to advance diplomatic efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

According to the Turkish official, Ankara proposed last month that Russia and Ukraine halt their attacks, although the initiative did not appear to receive significant attention.

Türkiye has previously positioned itself as a potential diplomatic intermediary between Moscow and Kyiv, maintaining contacts with both sides while supporting efforts to reduce hostilities.

The inclusion of the Russia-Ukraine war on the agenda of the R4-plus-E3 meeting suggests that the participating countries intend to discuss not only Middle Eastern security but also broader international conflicts.

However, the Turkish Foreign Ministry official did not provide details of specific proposals expected to be presented during the meeting or indicate whether the participants would issue a joint statement.

First Meeting Could Open New Diplomatic Channel

The first joint meeting of the R4 and E3 groups represents an effort to establish a broader platform for dialogue between regional powers and European countries.

By bringing together Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, Britain, France and Germany, the initiative could facilitate consultations on security challenges affecting several regions.

The discussions are expected to focus on identifying practical areas for cooperation and improving coordination among the participating governments.

The extent to which the new format produces concrete initiatives will depend on the participants’ ability to reconcile their positions and translate diplomatic discussions into coordinated action.

Terror Monitor will continue to follow developments surrounding the R4-plus-E3 meeting and its implications for regional security and international diplomacy.