Erdoğan and Zelensky agree to revive Black Sea grain corridor while discussing Türkiye’s role in planned November peace talks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed on Saturday to work toward restoring the Black Sea Grain Corridor, while also discussing whether Türkiye could join or host planned trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the United States and Russia in November.

Speaking alongside Zelensky at a joint press conference in Istanbul, Erdoğan said the conflict was increasingly spilling into the Black Sea and warned that attacks on civilian shipping would benefit no one.

“It is clear that attacks on civilian ships and steps that will increase escalation in the Black Sea will benefit no one,” Erdoğan said. “Whoever they come from and whatever their justification, it is impossible for us to accept these attacks in any way.”

He said Türkiye would continue talks with all sides to restore safe navigation in the Black Sea and reaffirmed Ankara’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

Zelensky said Türkiye had consistently supported safe navigation and that he and Erdoğan had discussed “new ideas and proposals” on Black Sea security.

“Today, President Erdoğan and I agreed to work on the Black Sea Grain Corridor,” Zelensky said. “Our goal is to ensure that this corridor continues to exist and operates effectively.”

Zelensky also said Ukraine is preparing for a trilateral format involving Kyiv, Washington and Moscow in the first half of November.

He said he and Erdoğan discussed the possibility of involving Türkiye and European countries in that process, as well as the prospect of holding some of the meetings in Türkiye.

The currently scheduled trilateral meeting remains planned for Abu Dhabi in the first half of November, according to earlier statements from both Kyiv and Moscow, but Zelensky’s remarks indicate Türkiye is being considered for a broader role in the diplomatic process.

Erdoğan also said Turkish companies that remained active in Ukraine during the war could play a major role in reconstruction, while Zelensky said defence-industrial cooperation between the two countries would continue to deepen.