Zelensky and Erdogan agree to work on a Black Sea grain corridor

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Istanbul on October 31 at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and held talks at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office. The two leaders agreed to work together on making a Black Sea grain corridor function effectively.

"Today, I reached an agreement with President Erdogan to work on the Black Sea grain corridor," Zelensky told a joint news conference (Anadolu, Türkiye Today). He said Türkiye supports efforts to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and restore normal living conditions.

Erdogan stressed that attacks on civilian vessels and steps that raise tensions in the Black Sea benefit no one. "We cannot accept these attacks in any way, no matter who they come from and whatever their justification," he said. He added that Türkiye would also take up safe navigation with Russia (Türkiye Today, TRT World).

Türkiye and the United Nations brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2022 to allow Ukrainian grain exports by sea during the war. Russia withdrew from the deal in July 2023.

Zelensky said Ukraine is preparing for a three-way format with the United States and Russia, expected in the first half of November. The two leaders discussed involving Türkiye and Europe in that format and the possibility of holding a meeting in Türkiye. Zelensky also thanked Erdogan for supporting the humanitarian evacuation of residents from Russian-occupied Oleshky (Holovne).

On the economy, Erdogan noted that the bilateral free trade agreement signed in 2022 entered into force on October 1, and he set a target of $10 billion in annual trade. Türkiye's Trade Ministry says tariff reductions on goods will apply from January 1, 2027. The leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in defense industry, energy and infrastructure.