Zelensky, Erdogan Discuss Peace Talks and Black Sea Security

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Istanbul on Saturday, Oct. 31, to discuss the resumption of tripartite diplomatic negotiations to end the war, measures to restore safe navigation across the Black Sea, and prospects for hosting future peace talks in Turkey. The bilateral discussions focused on integrating Turkey and European partners into prospective negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia planned for the first half of November.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Speaking following their consultations, Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv is actively preparing for the three-way format while exploring avenues to expand allied participation and consider Turkey as a host venue. “We are currently preparing for a trilateral format—Ukraine, the United States, Russia—in the first half of November,” Zelensky stated. “We discussed with Mr. President the prospects of such a format and other opportunities, in particular the possibilities of involving Turkey, involving Europe, involving all partners, and the possibilities of meeting here, in Turkey.” Erdogan reaffirmed Ankara’s readiness to facilitate a diplomatic settlement, welcoming the renewed momentum surrounding international mediation efforts. “During our negotiations today, we discussed in detail recent active efforts aimed at ensuring peace in Ukraine and the security situation in the Black Sea,” Erdogan said. Other Topics of Interest Russian Energy Strikes Cut Power to 280,000 Across Ukraine Russian strikes have hit power plants and substations in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Shostka, cutting electricity to 280,000 families and hitting rail hubs. “We note with great satisfaction that the initiative to end the war through diplomatic means has once again gained momentum.” The Turkish president emphasized that establishing a binding agreement on the safety of navigation in the Black Sea could serve as a vital catalyst for achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine. Condemnation of attacks on merchant shipping The Istanbul summit occurred amid acute instability across western Black Sea maritime corridors following repeated kinetic drone strikes on commercial cargo ships navigating near Romanian and Bulgarian territorial waters. Erdogan issued an explicit condemnation of strikes targeting commercial vessels, urging all belligerents to avoid further escalation across the maritime theater. “It is obvious that attacks on civilian vessels and actions that further escalate tensions in the Black Sea will benefit no one,” Erdogan said. “Under no circumstances can we accept these attacks – regardless of who carries them out and what motives are used to justify them. We call on all parties to act responsibly and behave accordingly.” Zelensky highlighted the protracted degradation of regional security resulting from Russian maritime aggression since the illegal annexation of Crimea. “Russia, through its aggression since 2014, has step by step made the situation in the Black Sea difficult and worse,” Zelensky stated. “Turkey consistently supports our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and our steps that can protect safe navigation in the Black Sea and restore normal living conditions in the Black Sea region.” The leaders also reviewed the uninterrupted operation of Ukrainian agricultural export corridors and bilateral economic cooperation. Diplomatic alignment ahead of prospective November talks Zelensky’s visit follows an Oct. 28 telephone conversation between Erdogan and US President Donald Trump, during which the Turkish leader affirmed that Ankara stands ready to help revive formal diplomatic talks between Ukraine and Russia. The meeting also comes as international mediators explore venues for prospective working-level trilateral talks between Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow, with Abu Dhabi, Switzerland, and Turkey cited as potential host locations. Zelensky previously stated that Kyiv hoped discussions could convene between Nov. 6 and Nov. 10, while Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov indicated that Moscow would be prepared to resume tripartite talks after its Nov. 4 National Unity Day holiday. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.