Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Russia and Ukraine to exercise restraint following attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, describing such actions as unacceptable and counterproductive. Speaking at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul on October 31, Erdogan emphasized the importance of safeguarding commercial shipping routes amidst ongoing tensions.

Highlighting Turkey’s unique position as a country maintaining relations with both Moscow and Kyiv, Erdogan expressed frustration over the continued strikes against civilian ships in the strategically vital waterway. He called on all parties to “act responsibly” and condemned attacks targeting nonmilitary vessels regardless of the perpetrators’ identity or rationale. Ankara had previously proposed a ceasefire on such strikes to both Russia and Ukraine, though Erdogan said these overtures had yet to yield results.

Zelensky, for his part, pointed to Russia’s role in complicating security conditions in the Black Sea and noted that much of the dialogue with Erdogan focused on addressing these challenges. He acknowledged ongoing discussions about potential proposals to enhance maritime safety and expressed appreciation for Turkey’s engagement in these efforts.

The two leaders underlined their commitment to continuing negotiations aimed at restoring safe navigation in the Black Sea, with Erdogan suggesting that progress in this area could contribute to broader peace efforts in Ukraine. Turkey has hosted multiple rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine, seeking to broker a ceasefire and a lasting resolution to the conflict.

In addition to the bilateral meeting, Erdogan referenced recent communication with U.S. President Donald Trump, stating Turkey’s readiness to support renewed diplomatic initiatives to end the war. Turkey views itself as a facilitator capable of achieving "tangible results through diplomacy" and is open to playing a greater role in upcoming negotiations. Kremlin officials have indicated that a new round of discussions involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States is scheduled for November in the United Arab Emirates.

Zelensky also raised the possibility of including Turkey, European partners, and other stakeholders in future talks, highlighting the importance of international cooperation. He stressed the need for “strong decisions” to achieve sustainable peace.

Both leaders expressed cautious optimism about leveraging diplomatic channels to reduce hostilities and ensure security in the Black Sea region, positioning Turkey as a central actor in efforts to stabilize the ongoing conflict.