Zelensky in Istanbul for Black Sea security talks with Erdogan

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, 31 October, at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for talks focused on Black Sea maritime security, bilateral defence cooperation and diplomatic avenues toward ending the war.

Zelensky confirmed the visit on Telegram, saying his delegation would hold extensive talks with the Turkish leadership before meeting Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar.

The visit follows an Erdogan–Trump telephone call on 28 October in which Erdogan affirmed that Ankara stands ready to help revive formal diplomatic negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Turkey's presidential communications directorate said Ankara is prepared to contribute directly to international efforts to restore that diplomatic track. The two leaders also discussed commercial trade and regional security.

The maritime security dimension has grown urgent following drone attacks that sank a container ship off Bulgaria and killed roughly two dozen seafarers.

Delegations from Ukraine, the United States and Russia are preparing for prospective working-level tripartite negotiations, with Abu Dhabi and Switzerland under consideration as host locations. Zelensky confirmed earlier in the week that Kyiv hopes the trilateral consultations can convene between 6 and 10 November, though final arrangements remain subject to confirmation from Washington. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov previously indicated Moscow would be prepared to resume tripartite talks after Russia's 4 November National Unity Day.