Zelenskyy to meet Erdoğan in Istanbul on October 31
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will make a working visit to Türkiye on October 31, 2026, at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Their meeting in Istanbul is expected to focus on the Russia-Ukraine war, Black Sea security, bilateral cooperation and other regional and international issues.
Key points
- Zelenskyy’s working visit to Türkiye is scheduled for October 31, 2026.
- He will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul.
- The agenda includes the Russia-Ukraine war and Black Sea security.
- The leaders will discuss further bilateral cooperation between Türkiye and Ukraine.
- Erdoğan said Türkiye is ready to support renewed diplomatic dialogue and direct contacts between Ukraine and Russia.
- Zelenskyy said previously discussed diplomatic formats could take shape in November.
- A Ukraine-Russia-US meeting was announced for November 4 in the United Arab Emirates, although Russia said the date depends on battlefield conditions.
Why it matters
The meeting places Türkiye in a mediating role in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and restore direct contacts between the two countries. Black Sea security is particularly important as Russia has intensified strikes on Ukrainian ports and disrupted exports, including grain. The talks may also produce decisions on Ukraine’s air defense and F-16 aircraft equipment, while supporting negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia.
What happened
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Türkiye on October 31, 2026, at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The leaders are scheduled to meet in Istanbul to discuss bilateral cooperation, the Russia-Ukraine war, Black Sea security and other international issues. Turkish presidential communications director Burhanettin Duran announced the visit on X, and Zelenskyy later confirmed it in an evening address. Zelenskyy said previously discussed diplomatic formats might emerge in November, while work with partners on strengthening air defense and providing equipment for F-16 aircraft continued.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting emphasizes Zelenskyy’s confirmation of the visit and his expectation that previously discussed diplomatic formats could take shape in November. Coverage also highlights Black Sea security, new defence decisions, air defense and F-16 equipment, as well as Ukraine’s proposal to hold the trilateral meeting with the United States and Russia in Abu Dhabi before a possible US-China-Russia meeting.
How international sources describe it
International coverage leads with the visit announcement, the Istanbul meeting and the expected bilateral and international agenda. It also highlights Türkiye’s stated readiness to support renewed diplomatic dialogue and direct contacts between Russia and Ukraine.
Where reporting differs
Early Ukrainian reports said the Ukrainian side had not yet confirmed the visit, but later reports said Zelenskyy confirmed it in an evening address.
Background
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Ukraine in July, after which Zelenskyy said Türkiye was ready to work toward a leaders’ meeting to end the war. Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on October 7 and discussed Black Sea security. Russia intensified strikes on Ukrainian ports in early October, blocking exports including grain, while Ukrainian defenders attacked Russian port infrastructure and shadow-fleet vessels used to evade sanctions. A Ukraine-Russia-US meeting was announced for November 4 in the United Arab Emirates, though Russia said its date would depend on the battlefield situation and broader circumstances.