Zelensky discusses war and Black Sea with Erdoğan
The Ukrainian president visits Istanbul for talks on security, cooperation and possible steps concerning the war.
There is news on this story (Saturday, 31 October 2026, 18:27): Ukraine and Turkey to work on new grain corridor
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Istanbul on Saturday for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The agenda includes the war in Ukraine, security in the Black Sea and further cooperation between the two countries.
The visit is taking place at Erdoğan’s invitation. Turkish communications chief Burhanettin Duran announced this on Friday and said the talks in Istanbul would cover both bilateral cooperation and regional and international developments.
According to the Turkish statement, the war between Russia and Ukraine is a major subject. Security in the Black Sea is also on the agenda. Ukraine and Turkey both have direct interests there: Ukraine uses the sea for trade and military logistics, while Turkey controls access to the straits and is an important regional interlocutor.
The meeting is not an announced peace conference, and no agreement has been made public in advance. The Turkish government describes it as a working visit. The gathering is therefore primarily intended for political consultations and exploring cooperation, not for the formal signing of a peace settlement.
Turkey maintains contacts with both Ukraine and Russia and has long sought to play a role in talks on security and shipping in the Black Sea. For Kyiv, Ankara is important as a regional power, NATO member and country with influence over the passage of military and commercial vessels.
The precise outcome of the talks is not yet known at the time of publication. The public announcement mentions no new military support, concrete negotiations on a ceasefire or new arrangement for grain transport. Such subjects may be discussed, but this has not been confirmed.
The visit is relevant to European countries because developments in the Black Sea affect the security of the EU’s eastern border, shipping and food transport. The meeting may also show whether Turkey is prepared to expand its diplomatic role further. If no joint statement or decision emerges afterwards, the significance of the visit will remain primarily political and exploratory.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Zelensky visited Istanbul at Erdoğan’s invitation.
- The war in Ukraine and security in the Black Sea were on the agenda.
- No concrete agreement was known at the time of publication.
Left
Arguments Diplomatic talks are necessary to reduce the violence and limit the consequences for civilians, trade and food supplies. Turkey can be useful as an interlocutor if it maintains contact with multiple parties.
Values Peace diplomacy, protection of civilians and international cooperation.
Consequences More talks could create room for humanitarian agreements, but must not be used to circumvent Ukrainian security guarantees.
Centre
Arguments The visit is mainly valuable if it leads to concrete agreements on security, shipping and communication. Expectations should remain limited if Russia does not take part in the talks.
Values Pragmatism, institutional cooperation and achievable steps.
Consequences Small agreements could reduce risks at sea, but a political breakthrough is unlikely without broader participation.
Right
Arguments Ukraine should negotiate from a position of strength and must not confuse diplomacy with concessions to Russia. Turkey can help, but European and NATO countries must retain responsibility for their own security.
Values Deterrence, national sovereignty and alliance credibility.
Consequences Too much emphasis on talks without military support could encourage Russia; clear support could strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
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The announced meeting, the leaders involved and the main subjects were confirmed by Turkish and Ukrainian sources and by Reuters. The text avoids unconfirmed claims about agreements, support or peace negotiations.
- confirmed Zelensky visited Istanbul on 31 October 2026. — Ukrinform reported his arrival; Turkey confirmed the working visit. source
- confirmed Erdoğan invited Zelensky. — This is stated in the Turkish communications chief’s statement. source
- confirmed The war and security in the Black Sea are on the agenda. — The Turkish government statement explicitly mentions these subjects. source
- confirmed There was no announced peace settlement or new agreement beforehand. — The announcements consulted describe a working visit and mention no such agreement. source
Editor's note
The arrival and working visit were reported by Ukrainian media; the Turkish government confirmed the meeting and its subjects. The concrete outcome and any new agreements were not yet known at the time of publication.Sources
- Zelenskyy to visit Türkiye on October 31 — Ukrinform
- Statement on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Türkiye — Turkish Presidency, Directorate of Communications
- Ukraine's Zelenskyy due in Türkiye for talks with Turkish President Erdogan — Reuters
The story so far
- Saturday, 31 October 2026, 13:55 Zelensky discusses war and Black Sea with Erdoğan (this article)
- Saturday, 31 October 2026, 18:27 Ukraine and Turkey to work on new grain corridor
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „oekraine turkije”
- Trouw — „oekraine turkije”
- NRC — „oekraine turkije”