Black Sea: Erdogan tells Russia, Ukraine to stop attacking civilian ships

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday, October 31, 2026, urged Russia and Ukraine to stop attacking civilian ships in the Black Sea, calling such attacks unacceptable whoever carries them out and whatever justification is given. He spoke at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul. Erdogan said Turkey had proposed that both countries halt strikes on civilian vessels, but that neither had acted on the proposal, and he called on both sides to act responsibly. Zelensky, who accused Russia of undermining security in the Black Sea, said the two leaders had agreed to work on a Black Sea grain corridor, and Erdogan said talks on restoring safe navigation would continue.

The Black Sea is one of the world's key trade routes for grain, fertiliser and energy. When merchant ships are attacked, insurance costs rise, shipping slows and prices for food and fuel can move far beyond the region.

Turkey sits at the centre of this. It sits on the straits that link the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, and it has hosted both Ukrainian and Russian officials for talks. Erdogan's choice of words was notable: by saying the attacks are unacceptable no matter who carries them out, he put pressure on both sides at once rather than taking one side. It also signals that Turkey wants to keep its role as a host for talks, a point underlined by Zelensky's suggestion of a meeting in Turkey.

The grain corridor agreement is the most practical part of the meeting. A working corridor would give ships a recognised route and some assurance of safety, helping Ukrainian exports move and calming markets. But a corridor depends on Russia not attacking it, and Erdogan's admission that neither side had taken up Turkey's call to stop hitting civilian ships shows how hard that will be.

Rubio's remark on the same day, that there is growing international interest in a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea, suggests that the sea route could become the first area where both sides agree to hold fire, even while fighting continues elsewhere.

Short-term: Diplomatic work will focus on turning the grain corridor understanding into practical arrangements and on whether Russia responds to Turkey's call. Shipping companies and insurers will watch for any drop in attacks.

Long-term: A working corridor or a limited Black Sea ceasefire could ease pressure on world food and energy prices and become a building block for wider talks to end the war. If attacks continue, trade risks and costs in the region will remain high.

Who is affected: Ukraine and Russia, Turkey and its economy, shipping companies and their crews, grain and fertiliser importers around the world, and consumers who pay for food and fuel.

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