Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Istanbul on Saturday to discuss preparations for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA and Russia in the first half of November. According to the Kyiv Post, the talks also covered involving Turkey and European partners in the diplomatic process and examining Istanbul as a possible host.
“We are currently preparing for a trilateral format – Ukraine, the United States, Russia – in the first half of November,” Zelensky said at a media briefing in Istanbul, according to Ukrinform. He said they had discussed the prospects for such a format and other options, “in particular the involvement of Turkey, the involvement of Europe, the involvement of all partners and the possibility of meeting here in Turkey”. He said “strong decisions” were needed to achieve peace; Russia must receive the signal at all levels that there is no alternative to peace and that support for Ukraine will continue.
According to the Kyiv Post, Erdogan said the talks had discussed in detail the recent active efforts towards peace in Ukraine and the security situation in the Black Sea. “We note with great satisfaction that the initiative to end the war through diplomatic means has gained momentum again.” A binding agreement on the safety of shipping in the Black Sea could be an important catalyst for a comprehensive and lasting peace.
The Turkish president also condemned attacks on civilian ships. “It is obvious that attacks on civilian ships and actions that further escalate tensions in the Black Sea benefit no one,” Erdogan said. “Under no circumstances can we accept these attacks – regardless of who carries them out and with what motives they are justified.
According to the Kyiv Post, Zelensky referred to the consequences of Russian aggression since 2014 for the situation in the Black Sea. “Through its aggression since 2014, Russia has step by step made the situation in the Black Sea difficult and worse,” he said. Turkey supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as steps to protect safe shipping. According to the report, the two presidents also discussed the uninterrupted operation of Ukrainian agricultural export corridors and economic cooperation.
According to the Kyiv Post, the meeting was preceded by a phone call between Erdogan and US President Donald Trump on 28 October, in which the Turk expressed his readiness to revive formal talks between Ukraine and Russia. According to the report, Abu Dhabi, Switzerland and Turkey are considered possible hosts for working meetings. Zelensky had previously said Kyiv hoped for talks between 6 and 10 November; Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov had said Moscow was ready to resume trilateral talks after the National Unity Day holiday on 4 November.
