Zelensky Arrives in Istanbul for Talks with Erdogan on Black Sea Shipping and Diplomacy

In brief

• Zelensky arrived in Istanbul on October 31 for talks with Erdogan.
• Black Sea shipping security and diplomacy to end the war are the main topics.
• Zelensky also plans to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Visit to Istanbul

Zelensky reached Istanbul on Saturday, October 31, accompanied by his team, to hold talks with Erdogan (Зеленський прибув до Стамбула для переговорів з Ердоганом – TSN) (Зеленский прибыл в Стамбул для переговоров с Эрдоганом – NV). He said on Telegram that the meeting would cover ways to strengthen the protection of Ukrainians, bilateral partnership with Turkey and real diplomatic prospects (Зеленський прибув з візитом до Туреччини – Європейська правда).

Black Sea security

Shipping in the Black Sea is expected to be a central topic. Russian strikes have raised risks for civilian vessels in the region, and Turkish cargo ships and citizens have already been hit (Зеленський їде до Ердогана: про що говоритимуть президенти у Стамбулі – TSN) (Війна та безпека у Чорному морі: в Ердогана анонсували візит Зеленського до Стамбула й теми обговорень політиків – Suspilne). Erdogan has said that securing safe navigation there matters greatly to Ankara.

Wider diplomacy

Turkish presidential communications director Burhanettin Duran said the leaders would discuss further steps in bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international events, above all Russia's war against Ukraine (Зеленський їде до Ердогана: ЗМІ розкрили, про що говоритимуть – UNIAN) (Зеленського 31 жовтня чекають у Туреччині – Українська правда). Earlier this month Erdogan spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin about the Black Sea situation. Erdogan has also pressed Donald Trump on Turkey's readiness to join the search for a restart of the diplomatic track between Kyiv and Moscow (Зеленський прилетів до Стамбула на переговори з Ердоганом – Українська правда).

Additional meeting

Zelensky also plans to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during the visit. Turkish officials did not say whether any specific agreements would be signed.

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