Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Russia and Ukraine to halt attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, while agreeing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to pursue a new grain transport route through the region.

Erdogan delivered the appeal on Saturday during a joint press conference with Zelenskyy in Istanbul, stressing that strikes on non-military ships were unacceptable regardless of which side was responsible.

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The meeting took place as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said international support was growing for a limited Black Sea ceasefire intended to protect grain exports and energy shipments from both countries.

“It is evident that attacks on civilian ships and other actions that intensify tensions in the Black Sea benefit no one,” Erdogan said.

“We cannot tolerate such attacks in any situation, no matter who is responsible or what explanation is given,” he added. “We urge every party to behave responsibly on this issue.”

Turkiye, which has preserved diplomatic relations with both Moscow and Kyiv, has expressed frustration over continued attacks affecting commercial shipping.

Ankara has presented Russia and Ukraine with a plan aimed at stopping such attacks, but says neither government has taken steps to implement it.

Leaders pledge efforts on grain route

Zelenskyy said Russia had made conditions in the Black Sea increasingly difficult and noted that maritime security was a major subject of his discussions with Erdogan.

“Today, President Erdogan and I agreed to work on the Black Sea grain corridor,” he said.

He added that Turkiye backs measures intended to guarantee safe passage through the Black Sea and help restore normal conditions for people affected by the conflict.

“President Erdogan and I considered several ideas and proposals that could contribute to this goal,” Zelenskyy said, thanking his Turkish counterpart for the talks.

Erdogan said negotiations on restoring secure navigation would remain ongoing.

“I believe an agreement in this area could also bring renewed momentum to efforts aimed at achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine,” he said.

According to Rubio, the United States is examining proposals from Turkiye and India that could help restart grain deliveries.

“This is creating risks for global food security and, to some extent, energy security as well,” Rubio said at a news conference in Atlanta, Georgia, after a G20 meeting of foreign ministers. “We want to make progress. It will not end the war, but it could address one important part of it.”

Zelenskyy mentions possible talks in Turkiye

Erdogan also welcomed renewed diplomatic activity aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting in particular an initiative supported by US President Donald Trump.

“At this stage, we believe there can be no losers in a fair peace,” he said. “I want to stress that we are prepared to make every possible contribution to opening the path toward peace.”

Turkiye has previously hosted several rounds of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations focused on securing a lasting ceasefire and eventual peace settlement. Erdogan said those meetings demonstrated that “diplomacy can produce concrete results”.

During a telephone conversation with Trump on Wednesday, Erdogan said Turkiye was ready to assist efforts to restore diplomatic engagement and bring the war to an end, according to the Turkish presidency.

The Kremlin said last week that the next round of discussions involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States was expected to resume in November in the United Arab Emirates.

Zelenskyy said he had discussed that format with Erdogan, as well as other possibilities involving Turkiye, European countries and additional partners. He also raised the prospect of holding a meeting in Turkiye.

“Peace requires strong decisions,” he said. “At every level, Russia must receive a clear signal that there is no alternative to peace and that assistance for Ukraine will continue.”