Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that attacks on civilian vessels and steps that could further escalate tensions in the Black Sea serve no one’s interests, pledging Türkiye’s readiness to help pave the way for peace in Ukraine.
Speaking after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul on Saturday, Erdogan said the two leaders had discussed recent intensified efforts to secure peace in Ukraine and the security situation in the Black Sea.
“I would like to emphasise that we are ready to make every effort to open the path to peace,” Erdogan said.
“It is clear that attacks on civilian vessels and steps that would escalate tensions in the Black Sea will benefit no one.”
Ensuring safe navigation in Black Sea
Zelenskyy said the leaders had agreed to work on the Black Sea grain corridor.
“Today, we agreed with President Erdogan to work on the Black Sea grain corridor,” he said, adding that Türkiye supports measures to ensure safe navigation and normal living conditions in the Black Sea region.
Erdogan also expressed confidence that Turkish companies that remained in Ukraine despite the war would make significant contributions to the country’s reconstruction.
Zelenskyy visited Türkiye at Erdogan’s invitation and was welcomed with an official ceremony at the presidency’s Dolmabahce Office before their talks.
Erdogan and Zelenskyy last met in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where they discussed Black Sea security, the operation of Ukraine’s maritime export corridor and ways to advance bilateral trade.
