Turkish officials said Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich is 'sincerely' trying to end the conflict with Ukraine, according to a report

• Abramovich was spotted at talks between Ukraine and Russia on March 29 in Istanbul.
• Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the oligarch has played a mediating role from the outset, Reuters reported.

Turkish authorities say that sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich is "sincerely" working to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported.

Abramovich was spotted at talks between Ukraine and Russia on March 29 in Istanbul, but sat with observers rather than the negotiating teams, the agency reported.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Turkish broadcaster A Haber, which Reuters cited, that the oligarch has been playing a mediating role, "sincerely" working to end the conflict.

Turkey has offered to mediate in talks between Kyiv and Moscow, as it has good relations with both, and due to its proximity to the Black Sea. It has shown support for Ukraine, but it doesn't support Western measures taken against Russia, and says that sanctioned Russian oligarchs remain welcome in the country.

At an earlier round of peace talks on March 3, Abramovich was apparently the victim of a suspected poisoning alongside two other members of the negotiating team.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on Thursday on Abramovich's presence at the peace talks, telling reporters that his inclusion indicates that Russian President Vladimir Putin "believes, trusts him", according to NTV, which Reuters cited.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the agency that, while the former Chelsea Football Club owner is not officially a part of the negotiations, he is there to "enable certain contacts."

"Of course, official talks are important, negotiations are important, but public opinion is sensitive, everyone wants to maintain their position, and there are channels that should be kept open between leaders and countries. Here, Abramovich plays a useful role," Cavusoglu also said.

The Turkish foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Abramovich is sanctioned by the UK and the European Union and officials in the US have said he could be a target of sanctions in the future.