World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Erdoğan urges Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks on civilian ships
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea.
He made the appeal in İstanbul on Saturday after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Turkey has ties with both countries and has proposed that they halt strikes on civilian vessels, but says neither side has acted on the proposal.
The appeal follows a series of attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea, including incidents near Bulgaria and Romania.
The attacks threaten shipping and maritime safety in a region important to trade and Ukraine’s efforts to export grain.
Zelensky said Black Sea security was a major focus of his talks with Erdoğan and discussed possible diplomatic formats, including a meeting in Turkey.
Erdoğan said talks on restoring safe navigation will continue, while a planned next round of Russia-Ukraine-US talks was expected in November in the United Arab Emirates.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged Russia and Ukraine to act responsibly over attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea.
He said attacks on civilian ships were unacceptable, regardless of who carried them out or their justification.
Erdoğan made the remarks at a news conference in İstanbul with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Turkey has proposed that Russia and Ukraine halt strikes on civilian ships, but Erdoğan said neither side had acted on the proposal.
Erdoğan said talks on restoring safe navigation would continue and could support efforts to secure lasting peace in Ukraine.
- Who
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged Russia and Ukraine to act responsibly. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also discussed the attacks with him.
- What
- Erdoğan condemned attacks on civilian vessels and called for them to stop.
- When
- Saturday, October 31, 2026.
- Where
- At a news conference in İstanbul, Turkey.
- Why
- Attacks on civilian vessels and actions that escalate tensions in the Black Sea serve no one’s interests, Erdoğan said.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Erdoğan spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump and said Turkey was ready to support efforts to revive negotiations and end the war.
Erdoğan and Zelensky met in İstanbul, where Erdoğan urged Russia and Ukraine to act responsibly over attacks on civilian vessels.
- President of Turkey
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
- Ukrainian president
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- Meeting location
- İstanbul, Turkey
- Turkey's proposal
- Russia and Ukraine should halt strikes on civilian ships
- Status of proposal
- Neither side had acted on it, Erdoğan said
4 sources
Erdoğan takes Russia, Ukraine to task over Black Sea attacks
Turkiye's Erdogan urges Russia and Ukraine to stop Black Sea attacks
‘The logic points in that direction’: Drones strike a container ship off Bulgaria as attacks on NATO’s Black flank pile up
What people are saying
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
I believe that reaching an agreement on this issue would also give fresh impetus to efforts to secure lasting peace in Ukraine
We discussed with President Erdogan some ideas and proposals that can help. And I thank Mr. President personally for this dialogue