Erdogan urges end to Black Sea ship attacks, agrees new grain corridor work with Zelenskyy

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged both Russia and Ukraine to stop targeting civilian ships in the Black Sea, as he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to work on a new grain corridor through the waterway.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Zelenskyy in Istanbul on Saturday, Erdogan said attacks on civilian vessels were unacceptable, whoever carries them out. 'It is clear that attacks against civilian vessels and actions that further escalate tensions in the Black Sea serve no one's interests,' he said. 'We cannot accept these attacks under any circumstances, regardless of who carries them out or what justification is offered. We call on all parties to act responsibly on this matter.'

Turkiye, which maintains ties with both Moscow and Kyiv, has been angered by the strikes on commercial shipping. Ankara has sent Russia and Ukraine a proposal to end the attacks, but says neither side has acted on it.

Zelenskyy accused Russia of making the situation in the Black Sea difficult and said a significant part of his conversation with Erdogan focused on security there. 'Today, I reached an agreement with President Erdogan to work on the Black Sea grain corridor,' he said. He added that Turkiye supports efforts to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and restore normal living conditions, and he thanked the Turkish leader for the dialogue.

Erdogan said talks to restore safe navigation would continue. 'I believe that reaching an agreement on this issue would also give fresh impetus to efforts to secure lasting peace in Ukraine,' he said.

The talks came on the same day US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was growing international interest in a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea to secure grain and energy shipments by both countries. Speaking at a news conference in Atlanta, Georgia, following a G20 foreign ministers meeting, Rubio said the US is reviewing proposals by Turkiye and India to get grain shipments moving. 'This is threatening the world for food security and some energy security as well,' he said. 'We'd like to achieve it. It doesn't solve the war, but at least it solves a unique aspect of it.'

Erdogan also welcomed renewed momentum behind efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war through diplomatic means, pointing in particular to US President Donald Trump's initiative. 'At this point, we maintain that there can be no losers in a just peace,' he said, adding, 'I would like to emphasise that we stand ready to make every possible effort to pave the way for peace.'

Turkiye has hosted several rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine aimed at a lasting ceasefire and peace deal, which Erdogan said showed that 'tangible results can be achieved through diplomacy'. In a phone call with Trump on Wednesday, Erdogan said Turkiye was ready to support efforts to revive the diplomatic process and end the war, according to the Turkish president's office.

Last week, the Kremlin said the next round of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US was planned to resume in November in the United Arab Emirates. Zelenskyy said he had discussed that format with Erdogan, along with other options including involving Turkiye, Europe and other partners, as well as the possibility of a meeting in Turkiye. 'Strong decisions are needed for there to be peace,' he said. 'And it is necessary at all levels to send signals to Russia that there is no alternative to peace and that support for Ukraine will continue.'