Zelensky arrives in Istanbul for talks with Erdogan on diplomacy and Black Sea shipping

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Istanbul on 31 October for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ukrainska Pravda and The Kyiv Independent reported that the agenda covers relations between the two countries, diplomatic efforts around the war with Russia and the safety of shipping in the Black Sea.

Zelensky announced the visit on social media. According to Ukrainska Pravda, he said Kyiv is working to strengthen the protection of Ukrainians, deepen its partnership with Türkiye and pursue “real diplomatic prospects”. He added that there are important questions concerning Black Sea shipping. The Kyiv Independent quoted him as saying the two leaders are expected to hold “important talks”.

The Ukrainian leader is also due to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew while in Türkiye, both outlets said.

Pressure on Black Sea routes

The Kyiv Independent linked the trip to a deteriorating security picture at sea. It said attacks by both Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea have grown more frequent in recent months. In August, after several incidents involving Turkish-flagged vessels, Ankara called for a moratorium on strikes against ships.

According to the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv has said it is willing to accept such a pause, while Moscow has shown no interest in easing tensions.

Ukrainska Pravda recalled that Erdogan spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin in early October, and that Black Sea security was among the subjects. A few days before Zelensky’s arrival, the Turkish leader told US President Donald Trump in a call that Türkiye is prepared to help revive the diplomatic process between Ukraine and Russia.

The paper added that Erdogan had said earlier that Ankara is stepping up its diplomacy to restart grain exports across the Black Sea and has received a positive signal from Ukraine on the matter.

Ankara’s balancing role

The Kyiv Independent noted that since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Turkey has tried to hold a delicate middle position. It acts as a mediator, keeps its economic partnership with Moscow and backs Ukraine’s defence efforts.

Turkey helped establish the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2022, which allowed grain and fertiliser from Ukraine to be exported safely by sea. In 2025 it hosted three rounds of peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian representatives.

What remains unclear

Neither outlet had reported any outcome of the meeting at the time of publication. It is not yet known whether the talks will produce a concrete step on a maritime moratorium or on resuming grain exports.

The Kyiv Independent’s account suggests Moscow’s stance is the main obstacle to de-escalation at sea, while Erdogan’s recent contacts with both Putin and Trump point to Ankara trying to position itself again as a channel for renewed diplomacy.