In brief
During a joint press conference in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded that Russia and Ukraine halt attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea. He and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also agreed to cooperate on a new grain corridor to restore safe navigation and support global food security. The leaders called for responsible actions from all parties amid continued maritime hostilities.
In a joint press conference held on Saturday in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged both Russia and Ukraine to stop targeting civilian vessels in the Black Sea, calling the attacks unacceptable no matter who carried them out. Erdogan also confirmed that the two leaders agreed to work together on a new grain corridor designed to secure shipping lanes and restore normal maritime commerce.
Erdogan said, “It is clear that attacks against civilian vessels and actions that further exacerbate tensions in the Black Sea serve no one’s interests. We cannot accept these attacks under any circumstances, regardless of who carries them out or what justification is offered.” He added that he calls on “all parties to act responsibly” amid ongoing strikes on commercial shipping.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the meeting centred on security in the Black Sea and “today, I reached an agreement with President Erdogan to work on the Black Sea grain corridor.” He thanked Turkey for the dialogue and indicated that Turkiye supports efforts to ensure safe navigation and restore normal living conditions for the region.
Turkey has long tried to position itself as a mediator, maintaining ties with both Moscow and Kyiv. Ankara has forwarded a proposal to end attacks, but both sides have yet to act on it, the president said. The discussion also touched on the U.S. Secretary of State’s recent comments, with Marco Rubio noting growing international interest in a limited ceasefire to safeguard grain and energy shipments.
During the conference, Erdogan highlighted the importance of a collective effort to secure lasting peace in Ukraine, adding, “Reaching an agreement on safe navigation would also give fresh impetus to efforts to secure lasting peace in Ukraine.” The dialogue between Ankara’s and Kyiv’s heads of state reflects Turkey’s commitment to safeguarding maritime safety amid a broader geopolitical conflict.
The two leaders echoed earlier statements by Ukraine, which has accused Russia of making the situation in the Black Sea more dangerous. They noted the potential for the grain corridor to attract support from other regional powers, including India and a United States review of Turkey and India’s proposals to facilitate grain shipments.
In addition to the grain corridor, Erdogan indicated that Turkey would continue talks to reinstate safe navigation, underscoring his emphasis on constructive engagement. The discussion also referenced recent incidents, such as the attack on the Liberian-flagged container ship *Contship Jet* in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone and other drone strikes reported in the Black Sea region.
Officials from both sides stressed the need for coordinated action, with Erdogan summarising that “doing so will relieve pressure on merchant shipping and help maintain essential trade routes.” The agreements also reflect a growing insistence from global actors on peacekeeping measures that protect civilian maritime traffic during wartime.
