Zelensky to Meet Erdogan in Istanbul on October 31 for Talks on Ukraine War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make a working visit to Türkiye on October 31 at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran announced on October 30.

Duran said in a social media post that the leaders will meet in Istanbul to discuss steps to deepen bilateral cooperation, along with regional and international developments, above all the Russia-Ukraine war and security in the Black Sea.

The statement did not say where in Istanbul the talks would be held or whether any agreements are planned. It also did not describe the visit as a new round of peace negotiations.

Visit Follows Two Erdogan Calls With Trump

The announcement comes two days after Erdogan spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump on October 28. According to the Turkish Directorate of Communications, Erdogan said Türkiye stands ready to contribute to efforts to revive the diplomatic process between Ukraine and Russia and to end the war through it. The call also covered the Strait of Hormuz and Yemen.

Trump called Erdogan again on October 29, during a Republic Day dinner for leaders attending the Organization of Turkic States summit in Ankara. The Turkish readout said only that Trump wished the summit success and gave no other details.

Clash Report covered the first call in Erdogan Tells Trump Türkiye Is Monitoring Hormuz and Yemen, Backs Diplomacy.

Abu Dhabi Round Still Lacks a Date

Erdogan’s offer came as Ukraine, Russia and the United States prepare for another round of team-level talks. Zelensky said on October 28, at a press conference in The Hague with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, that he hopes the meeting can take place in Abu Dhabi between November 6 and 10.

No date has been confirmed. Zelensky said Kyiv is waiting for Washington, which he expects to answer after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, and that the venue could change depending on developments in the Middle East. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov has reportedly said Moscow has not yet proposed a date.

A White House official told Türkiye Today that the United States looks forward to taking part in the next trilateral round, which it expects to be held soon. Earlier U.S.-brokered rounds this year, two in Abu Dhabi and one in Geneva, produced little beyond a prisoner swap, the outlet reported.

Kyiv’s proposed agenda includes energy and maritime ceasefires, prisoner exchanges, the release of Ukrainian civilians held in Russia and the return of Ukrainian children. Zelensky has said territory and security guarantees can be settled only at the leaders’ level. No meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin has been agreed.

Clash Report also reported that Zelensky acknowledged for the first time that Russia needs security guarantees ahead of the talks.

Black Sea Shipping Is on the Agenda

Erdogan and Zelensky met on September 23 at the Turkish House in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. According to the Turkish Directorate of Communications, Erdogan said Türkiye is ready to do its utmost for a lasting peace, that efforts to revive direct negotiations will continue, and that there is no justification for attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea.

Zelensky said in a Telegram post that they discussed how to keep Ukraine’s maritime export corridor operating. He said that requires Russia to stop strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure so that Ukraine can halt its long-range responses.

The Turkish presidency has not announced any specific maritime security measures for the October 31 talks.

Trade, Energy and Drone Cooperation in Play

At the September meeting, Erdogan said stronger cooperation in energy, mining and the defense industry would benefit both countries, according to the directorate. Zelensky said Ukraine’s parliament had ratified a free trade agreement with Türkiye and that the two countries aim to raise bilateral trade from $1 billion to $10 billion. His office said the leaders also discussed a potential drone deal.

At their April 4 meeting in Istanbul, the leaders agreed to deepen security cooperation, including projects drawing on Ukrainian expertise, technology and battlefield experience, Kyiv Post reported.

The October 30 announcement did not name any agreement scheduled for signing.

Türkiye Has Offered to Host Talks Before

After the April meeting, Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s willingness to support a sustainable peace, and Zelensky said Ukraine was ready to attend talks in Türkiye, including a leaders-level meeting in any format, Kyiv Post reported.

On September 23, Zelensky said he would back a leaders-level trilateral meeting in Türkiye if Erdogan could organize one. “If the president can organize such a meeting, we support the idea of it being held in Türkiye,” he said, according to Türkiye Today.

Ankara has not announced a trilateral summit. The October 31 visit was presented as a bilateral working visit.