Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed in Istanbul on Saturday, October 31, 2026, to work on a new Black Sea grain corridor, as Türkiye called on both Russia and Ukraine to stop attacking civilian ships. The two leaders spoke at a joint news conference after talks that Zelenskyy said focused heavily on Black Sea security.
What Erdogan said
Erdogan said attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea are unacceptable no matter who carries them out, telling reporters, “We cannot accept these attacks under any circumstances.” He urged all parties to act responsibly and said talks on restoring safe navigation would continue. He added that a deal on shipping could give fresh momentum to efforts for a lasting peace in Ukraine, and welcomed renewed diplomacy, including an initiative by US President Donald Trump.
Türkiye, which keeps working ties with both Moscow and Kyiv, has hosted several rounds of Russia-Ukraine talks. Ankara says it sent both sides a proposal to end attacks on shipping, but neither has acted on it yet.
What Zelenskyy said
Zelenskyy accused Russia of making the situation in the Black Sea difficult and said he had agreed with Erdogan “to work on the Black Sea grain corridor.” He said Türkiye backs efforts to ensure safe navigation. He also floated options for future talks, including a format involving Türkiye, Europe and other partners, and a possible meeting in Türkiye.
Key facts
- Who: Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- Where and when: Istanbul, Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Agreement: to work on a new Black Sea grain corridor (no routes, volumes or timeline announced)
- Türkiye’s message: attacks on civilian ships are unacceptable from any side
- Recent incident: the Liberian-flagged container ship Contship Jet was hit by drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone on October 28
- US view: Washington is reviewing proposals from Türkiye and India on a limited Black Sea ceasefire
Why the Black Sea matters
The Black Sea is a key route for grain and energy exports. In July 2022, Türkiye and the United Nations brokered the original Black Sea Grain Initiative, which let Ukrainian grain leave its ports during the war until Russia withdrew from it in July 2023. Many Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia import large quantities of wheat, so safe shipping through the Black Sea affects bread and food prices for millions of families.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Atlanta after a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, said there is growing international interest in a limited Black Sea ceasefire to protect grain and energy shipments, and that the US is reviewing proposals from Türkiye and India. He said such a step would not end the war but would address one part of it. The Kremlin said last week that the next round of Russia-Ukraine-US talks is planned for November in the United Arab Emirates.
Türkiye’s role as a mediator
Türkiye’s diplomacy has been active on several fronts this month, from its nomination of Feridun Sinirlioglu for UN Secretary-General to regional infrastructure plans such as the proposed Jeddah-to-Istanbul railway via the Holy Cities. Islam places great value on sulh (reconciliation) between parties in conflict, and many Muslims see mediation that protects civilians and food supplies as a positive role for a Muslim-majority nation. For wider context on Muslim nations’ diplomacy, see our takeaways from the OIC foreign ministers’ meeting in Baghdad.
What happens next
No operational details of a new corridor have been released. Attention now turns to whether Russia responds to Türkiye’s proposal, whether a limited Black Sea ceasefire gains support from the US and others, and what comes out of the planned November talks in the UAE.
FAQ
What did Erdogan and Zelenskyy agree on?
They agreed to work on a new Black Sea grain corridor. Details such as routes and timelines have not been announced.
Why is Türkiye involved?
Türkiye controls access to the Black Sea through its straits, keeps ties with both Russia and Ukraine, and helped broker the 2022 grain deal with the UN.
Is India involved?
According to Rubio, the US is reviewing proposals from both Türkiye and India on a limited Black Sea ceasefire.
Source: Al Jazeera — aljazeera.com; Anadolu Agency — aa.com.tr
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