Erdogan Urges Russia and Ukraine to Halt Black Sea Attacks on Civilian Ships
Turkish and Ukrainian leaders met in Istanbul and agreed to work on a new Black Sea grain corridor as Erdogan called for an end to attacks on civilian vessels.
At a glance
- Erdogan urged Russia and Ukraine to stop targeting civilian ships in the Black Sea during talks in Istanbul.
- Turkey and Ukraine agreed to work on a new Black Sea grain corridor to restore safe navigation.
- The US is reviewing Turkey and India proposals to move grain shipments, while Russia-US-Ukraine talks may resume in the UAE in November.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Istanbul on Saturday, where Erdogan urged Russia and Ukraine to stop targeting civilian ships in the Black Sea and the two leaders agreed to work on a new grain corridor through the waterway.
Speaking at a joint news conference, Erdogan said attacks on civilian vessels were unacceptable regardless of who carried them out or what justification was offered. He called on all parties to act responsibly.
Turkiye, which maintains ties with both Moscow and Kyiv, has been angered by strikes on commercial shipping. Ankara has sent Russia and Ukraine a proposal to end attacks, but 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. He announced an agreement with Erdogan to work on the Black Sea grain corridor and thanked the Turkish leader for supporting safe navigation.
Erdogan said talks to restore safe navigation would continue and that an agreement could give fresh impetus to efforts to secure lasting peace in Ukraine.
The same day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was growing international interest in a limited Black Sea ceasefire to secure grain and energy shipments. Rubio, speaking in Atlanta after a G20 foreign ministers meeting, said the US is reviewing proposals by Turkiye and India to get grain shipments moving.
Erdogan also welcomed renewed diplomatic momentum to end the Russia-Ukraine war, citing US President Donald Trump's initiative. He said Turkiye stands ready to make every possible effort to pave the way for peace.
The Kremlin has said the next round of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US is planned to resume in November in the United Arab Emirates. Zelenskyy said he discussed that format with Erdogan, along with other options including involving Turkiye, Europe and other partners, and the possibility of a meeting in Turkiye.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- What did Erdogan ask Russia and Ukraine to do?
- He urged both countries to stop targeting civilian ships in the Black Sea and said such attacks are unacceptable regardless of who carries them out.
- What did Turkey and Ukraine agree to work on?
- The two leaders agreed to work on a new Black Sea grain corridor and to continue talks to restore safe navigation.
- When are Russia, Ukraine and US talks planned to resume?
- The Kremlin said the next round of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US is planned to resume in November in the United Arab Emirates.
