Erdoğan and Zelenskyy meet in Istanbul over war and Black Sea security

By Yusuf İnan | Wise News Press

ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE —

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy began talks in Istanbul on Saturday, focusing on Russia’s war, Black Sea security, maritime shipping and bilateral cooperation.

The meeting at the Dolmabahçe Presidential Office comes as Türkiye seeks to retain a facilitating role between Kyiv and Moscow, while Ukraine explores new diplomatic formats and measures to protect its maritime routes and national security.

Talks begin at Dolmabahçe

Zelenskyy arrived in Istanbul on 31 October for a working visit at Erdoğan’s invitation. Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler welcomed the Ukrainian president and his delegation upon their arrival.

The two presidents subsequently met at the Dolmabahçe Presidential Office. No detailed account of the discussions or agreed measures had been issued when this report was prepared.

Before the meeting, Zelenskyy said his delegation expected important negotiations with Erdoğan and would work on strengthening Ukraine’s security, deepening the interstate partnership with Türkiye and identifying practical diplomatic opportunities.

“We are working to strengthen the protection of our people, our interstate partnership with Türkiye and real diplomatic prospects,” Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian leader also identified navigation in the Black Sea as one of the principal subjects on the agenda.

Black Sea security moves to the centre of the agenda

The Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications said the talks would address the Russia–Ukraine war, the security situation in the Black Sea, regional and international developments and possible steps to expand bilateral cooperation.

For both countries, the Black Sea agenda extends beyond military security. It includes commercial shipping, food exports, energy infrastructure, port access and the protection of maritime routes from mines, drone attacks and other wartime risks.

Türkiye controls access between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean through the Turkish Straits under the Montreux Convention. Ankara’s geographical position and its relations with both Kyiv and Moscow therefore give it a distinctive role in discussions concerning navigation and regional security.

Zelenskyy’s explicit reference to maritime traffic indicates that the meeting could also address the safety and continuity of Ukrainian exports. No new maritime mechanism or formal agreement had been announced at the time of publication.

Diplomatic options expected to be discussed

The Istanbul meeting also comes amid attempts to revive negotiations aimed at ending or limiting the war.

In an address before travelling to Türkiye, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was working to use all available diplomatic opportunities and expected progress in November on formats that had been under discussion for some time.

Reuters reported that the Ukrainian president had expressed hope for a meeting involving negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi between 6 and 10 November. Zelenskyy also said Kyiv wanted European countries to be involved in deliberations on ending the war.

It was not immediately clear whether the proposed Abu Dhabi format, or a possible alternative hosted by Türkiye, was discussed in detail during the Erdoğan–Zelenskyy meeting.

Türkiye has repeatedly said it is prepared to facilitate negotiations. Ukrainian and Russian delegations have held several rounds of talks in Türkiye since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Türkiye seeks to retain its facilitating role

Ankara has maintained diplomatic contacts with both Kyiv and Moscow throughout the war. Türkiye has supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while continuing political, commercial and energy relations with Russia.

This position has allowed Türkiye to participate in prisoner-exchange efforts, maritime initiatives and negotiations related to Ukrainian food exports. It has also enabled Erdoğan to communicate separately with Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During an earlier meeting in Istanbul on 4 April 2026, Erdoğan told Zelenskyy that Türkiye was ready to host another round of negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia, according to the Ukrainian Presidency.

The two presidents also discussed defence-industry projects, energy cooperation and obstacles affecting bilateral trade during that April meeting. Those discussions provide context for the current visit, although neither side had announced whether new agreements in these areas would be signed on Saturday.

Security, energy and bilateral cooperation

The official agenda referred broadly to strengthening cooperation between Türkiye and Ukraine. Relations between the countries cover defence technology, trade, reconstruction, energy, infrastructure and security in the Black Sea region.

Ukraine is seeking additional air-defence capabilities and international support as Russian attacks continue to target cities and energy infrastructure. Türkiye, meanwhile, has an interest in preventing further instability in the Black Sea and protecting commercial and energy routes connected to the region.

The two countries have previously discussed joint defence-industry initiatives and energy projects. At their April meeting, the leaders addressed possible cooperation involving gas infrastructure and the development of energy resources.

Any new commitment in these fields would require confirmation through an official statement. The current visit should therefore not be interpreted as producing a specific defence or energy agreement unless one is formally announced by either government.

Zelenskyy also plans meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew

Zelenskyy said he was also scheduled to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during his visit to Istanbul.

Relations between Ukraine and the Ecumenical Patriarchate have acquired added importance since the Orthodox Church of Ukraine received a decree of independence, known as a tomos of autocephaly, from the Istanbul-based Patriarchate in 2019.

The planned meeting adds a religious and humanitarian dimension to Zelenskyy’s programme, alongside the security and diplomatic discussions with Erdoğan.

Zelenskyy thanked those who had supported Ukraine, but no detailed programme for the meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew had been disclosed when this report was prepared.

Attention turns to the official readout

The main indicators of the meeting’s outcome will be any official statements on a diplomatic negotiating format, maritime security, defence cooperation or measures intended to protect Black Sea shipping.

It will also be significant whether Türkiye announces a new initiative involving Russia, Ukraine and international partners or confines its role to consultations and continued facilitation.

Until official statements are released, reports of a concrete agreement, ceasefire plan or new negotiating timetable should be treated cautiously. The confirmed agenda covers the war, Black Sea security, bilateral relations and regional developments, but the outcome of the talks remains to be formally disclosed.

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