Politics
Turkish diplomat eyed for top UN job hints at working for reforms
In a career that took him from embassies around the world to the post of foreign minister and finally, the post of secretary-general at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OECD), Feridun Sinirlioğlu saw how diplomacy worked and failed. As Türkiye’s candidate to succeed outgoing U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Sinirlioğlu outlined his pledges for his possible next job. The vision statement of Sinirlioğlu, included in his application to the job, focuses on the comprehensive reform process at the international body and how the United Nations has a historic opportunity to become what it is envisioned to be after the accomplishment of reforms.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan fiercely advocates comprehensive reform at the United Nations, especially the Security Council, which he says fails to be inclusive and often underlines that countries outside major powers should have more say in international affairs. Erdoğan’s advocacy especially escalated during Israel’s genocidal attacks in Gaza, which have killed tens of thousands of people since 2023. The Turkish leader often accuses the international community, making up the United Nations, of failing to act against Israel to stop the genocide, though many countries, even a few among the Western countries that staunchly support Israel, were hailed by Erdoğan for breaking the silence.
Sinirlioğlu’s vision statement entitled “Upholding Multilateralism and Building Bridges” summarizes his policy promises if elected as the next U.N. chief.
Under the title of “A United Nations That Fulfills Its Mission,” the statement reminds us that the body was founded to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”
“The UN Charter was forged through the wisdom of women and men who knew all too well the unspeakable price that war had inflicted on humanity. From the ashes of war and from the sacrifice of millions, the United Nations was established to maintain international peace and security. Throughout the decades, it has become the foremost global forum for building peace, advancing economic and social development, and promoting universal human rights. While much has been accomplished, humanity once again stands at a defining moment in its history.
“International peace and security are under unprecedented strain. War is ravaging peoples and lands across the globe; widening economic inequalities undermine the legitimate aspiration of future generations to achieve greater prosperity than those who came before them; demographic shifts and global migration patterns raise new challenges that demand coordinated international responses; human rights are violated in plain sight and weakened by intolerable double standards; and transnational threats, including organized crime and terrorism, challenge States’ sovereignty and threaten the security of all. At the same time, a new technological revolution is unfolding, generating both extraordinary opportunities and profound uncertainty,” Sinirlioğlu said in his statement.
“Only a United Nations that rediscovers its original historic mission and purpose can rise to the challenge. The Charter has been and remains our enduring beacon, providing the principles and framework for international dialogue and cooperation. I am convinced that it is what stands between humanity and the abyss of endless war and destruction. As Secretary-General, I would faithfully uphold, serve, and promote the Charter. With more than four decades of experience in diplomacy, I remain firmly convinced that the United Nations can once again guide humanity toward peace, prosperity, and dignity for all. I seek the office of Secretary-General because I believe the United Nations remains indispensable – not because it is perfect, but because no other institution possesses its universal legitimacy, convening power, and moral responsibility,” he added. The Secretary-General must be an independent guardian of the Charter, an honest broker among Member States, and a visionary leader of the world’s most complex multilateral institution. The role demands integrity, impartiality, courage, and the ability to listen carefully and to lead. These qualities are particularly vital at a time when the United Nations is called upon to undertake profound reform, reduce costs, and refocus on its core mission. Above all, the Secretary-General must serve all Member States impartially and work to build a better future for all,” he said.
Keeping channels open
Sinirlioğlu noted that diplomacy remained “the most powerful tool for reducing tensions and managing risks in an environment marked by mistrust.”
“The United Nations was founded on a simple yet enduring truth: security cannot be built against one another. As hard as it may be, it must be built with one another. That principle has not changed, and our responsibility to uphold it has never been greater. In this regard, resolving today’s complex conflicts requires keeping channels of communication open, and reopening those that have been closed. Engaging with those with whom we disagree is not a concession but a responsibility. It is essential for avoiding misunderstandings and reducing the risk of miscalculation in today’s volatile security environment. The Secretary-General, through the exercise of the Organization’s good offices and preventive diplomacy, can bridge divides, build trust, and help achieve results both at the negotiating table and on the ground. Our objective should not simply be to manage crises, but to prevent them. To that end, the United Nations should strengthen its capacities for early warning, mediation, peacebuilding, and cooperation with regional partners in order to reduce human suffering and the enormous costs of war. At the same time, UN peacekeeping operations continue to serve the cause of peace by fostering stability, supporting peace agreements, and protecting civilians. Although they are not an end in themselves, these operations create the conditions necessary to sustain peace and must remain agile, effective, and responsive through continuous review and reform,” he said.
Türkiye’s nomination of Sinirlioğlu is intended to help overcome a deadlock in the selection process, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saturday.
“Our goal is to provide a diplomatic contribution aimed at overcoming the impasse,” Fidan told Anadolu Agency (AA) and Turkish public broadcaster TRT.
In a letter dated Friday to the presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, Türkiye’s U.N. Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız transmitted President Erdoğan’s nomination letter, in line with the U.N. Charter and a General Assembly resolution.
Fidan said Ankara had been “closely monitoring” the selection process and anticipated that difficulties could emerge among the candidates, prompting Türkiye to consider putting forward its own nominee. He said the process had been underway for about a year, with several candidates from Latin America competing in line with the informal geographical rotation traditionally considered in selecting the U.N. chief. Türkiye respects the expectation that Latin America should have the opportunity to produce the next secretary-general, Fidan said, but added that the process had reached a stalemate.
He explained that the nomination of candidates from other regions when the selection process becomes deadlocked is not unprecedented in U.N. history.
Fidan said Türkiye decided to formally nominate Sinirlioğlu after the latest developments in the selection process, including voting involving the United Arab Emirates’ candidate Lana Nusseibeh.
He added that Türkiye had already agreed to put forward its candidate if certain conditions emerged during the selection process. “Once the deadlock became clear, we officially submitted our own candidate to the U.N. with a letter signed by our president,” he said.
He stressed that Ankara’s decision was not simply an attempt to enter the competition but rather an effort to contribute to resolving the impasse.
Fidan said Sinirlioğlu is an experienced career diplomat with extensive international experience, including his previous service as Türkiye’s U.N. ambassador.
Fidan stressed that Türkiye attaches great importance to multilateralism and the effective functioning of international organizations, particularly the U.N.
He said Erdoğan strongly supports a U.N. system that operates “genuinely and fairly,” adding that Türkiye will continue contributing to efforts to strengthen the organization.
“Türkiye will continue to do everything it can to contribute to this,” Fidan said, describing Sinirlioğlu’s nomination as one part of Ankara’s broader diplomatic efforts.
A candidate needs at least nine votes in the Security Council to secure the required support, while any of the five permanent members – the U.S., China, France, Russia and the U.K. – can block a candidate with a veto.
The eventual nominee must be appointed by the General Assembly, with that step generally considered a formality once the Security Council has reached an agreement. The term of Antonio Guterres, the current secretary-general, ends on Dec. 31.
Burhanettin Duran, head of the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate, confirmed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to South Korea. Media outlets had earlier reported that a visit to Seoul was planned for November, without specifying a date. Duran said Erdoğan would be in South Korea from Nov. 1 to Nov. 4 at the invitation of his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jae Myung.
In a social media post, Duran said Turkish and South Korean officials would assess all aspects of their strategic partnership during Erdoğan’s visit, along with current regional and global issues. He noted that several documents would be signed during the visit to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Kang Yoo-jung, senior spokesperson for the South Korean presidency, said in a statement on Sunday that it would be Erdoğan’s first visit to the country in eight years. She noted that the South Korean president last visited Türkiye in November 2025. Lee was among the leaders of non-NATO countries invited to Türkiye for last July’s NATO summit, where he also held a bilateral meeting with Erdoğan. The South Korean spokesperson said the two leaders would sign memorandums of understanding in several fields. She added that Türkiye and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1957 and elevated their ties to the level of a strategic partnership in 2012.
“Through this summit, the two leaders are scheduled to review the progress of projects resulting from last year’s summit and discuss ways to strengthen trade and investment, nuclear power and defense cooperation, cooperation in future industries such as energy, science and technology, and social and cultural exchanges. They will also discuss major international issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East. President Erdoğan’s state visit is expected to serve as an opportunity to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027,” the spokesperson said.
Economic relations between Ankara and Seoul continue to develop on the basis of trade, investment and technological cooperation, alongside strong political ties dating back to the Korean War.
Trade relations, which gained a new dimension with the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2012 and implemented in 2013, have expanded in recent years across a range of sectors, from automotive and defense to energy and digital technologies.
Türkiye has recently prioritized the development of joint projects with South Korea in strategic areas including nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, battery technologies, critical minerals, innovation and renewable energy. South Korea is also included in Türkiye’s “Far Countries Strategy,” which aims to boost exports to geographically distant but high-potential markets, and is listed among the country’s target export markets.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has grown steadily in recent years. According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), trade volume between Türkiye and South Korea totaled $50.8 billion during the five-year period from 2021 to 2025. Bilateral trade reached $11.4 billion last year and amounted to $3.7 billion in the first four months of this year.
Türkiye’s main exports to South Korea include pharmaceutical products, metal ores, machinery and equipment, and seafood, while imports from South Korea are led by iron and steel, plastics and plastic products, and motor vehicles.
Strengthening investment ties with South Korea is also seen as crucial for building stable and long-term cooperation.
A total of 226 South Korean companies have investments in Türkiye worth approximately $451 million, including major firms such as Hyundai Motor Company and LG Electronics.
In recent years, the two countries have continued to expand defense industry cooperation through various projects, particularly the Altay main battle tank program. Talks with South Korean companies have also intensified regarding the planned second nuclear power plant project in Sinop. Having previously collaborated on major infrastructure projects such as the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge and the Eurasia Tunnel, the two countries are further deepening cooperation through new highway and urban development protocols signed last year.
Meanwhile, a cooperation agreement signed between the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBITAK) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) enables Turkish and South Korean researchers to develop and receive funding for joint scientific R&D projects focusing on artificial intelligence, advanced materials and digital technologies.
Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the government ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), is persisting in his proposal to establish new provinces across the country. Three years after reviving the proposal for a second time, Bahçeli returned to it on Sunday, this time providing more details. For the veteran politician, the plan is a way to ensure more efficient use of resources amid changing dynamics in Türkiye, which currently has 81 provinces.
His ambitious plan, titled “100 Provinces, 1,000 Districts,” was published by Türkgün, a news website and newspaper close to Bahçeli, on Sunday. In an interview with the newspaper, Bahçeli said they proposed declaring 19 additional provinces and 78 new districts. “Certain districts should be upgraded to provincial status due to their growing populations, development potential, geographical location, difficulties in accessing services and strategic importance,” he said, describing these as objective criteria.
Current criteria for upgrading a district to provincial status include a population threshold (at least 100,000 residents), distance from the provincial center, economic and commercial potential, and overall development status. Still, not every district that meets the criteria is immediately upgraded, as the move requires approval by Parliament. The last district to be granted provincial status was Düzce in the north in 1999, following two devastating earthquakes that necessitated a massive recovery budget. Bahçeli’s hometown of Osmaniye, previously a district of Adana in the south, was also among the settlements upgraded to provincial status during a wave of provincial expansions in the 1980s and 1990s, when Türkiye converted districts into provinces almost every year. Becoming a province means receiving a larger share of the central government budget for local administration.
Bahçeli said the need for restructuring the provincial system also stemmed from the necessity of changing the duties, powers and responsibilities of existing institutions and organizations, preventing conflicts of authority, and ensuring the effective fulfillment of state functions, including newly established public services. Pointing to changes in the functioning of institutions within Türkiye’s administrative system, Bahçeli said these developments also necessitated regulatory reforms. He noted that the introduction of new technologies into the system, problems arising from their use, changes in administrative and public relations systems, and incompatibilities between governance, the socioeconomic structure and the political order were among the key factors driving this need.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Istanbul on Saturday, where he met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for talks focusing on Black Sea grain corridor and maritime safety.
Also on Saturday, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was in the U.S. city of Atlanta for a G-20 foreign ministers’ meeting, called on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to make a deal to reach a peace agreement, warning that the nearly five-year war has inflicted enormous damage on the global economy and carries the risk of further regional escalation.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) and broadcaster TRT on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting, Fidan said the economic and social costs of the conflict have become increasingly difficult to ignore, particularly for European countries. “These wars are no longer sustainable. Therefore, Russia and Ukraine must reach an agreement,” he said.
He added that a lasting settlement would require not only peace between Russia and Ukraine but also an improved relationship between Russia and Europe.
“A constructive relationship between Europe and Russia needs to be redefined in the aftermath of peace. This is because any peace agreement that Ukraine reaches with Russia will not be limited to those two countries alone. In a sense, Europe also needs to reconcile with Russia and restart certain aspects of their relationship. This is important,” Fidan stressed.
Fidan warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had significantly compounded the economic consequences of the Ukraine war, further disrupting energy supplies and international trade. He said the interconnected nature of the global economy made it “increasingly difficult” to calculate the full financial impact of these disruptions. European industries had long benefited from relatively inexpensive Russian energy, which supported manufacturing, exports, and related financial activities. The breakdown of these economic connections has created far-reaching consequences, he explained. He stressed that the mounting economic burden must be brought to an end.
Fidan also expressed concern over disruptions to commercial shipping in the Black Sea, noting that Russian and Ukrainian grain and energy supplies are struggling to reach international markets. “Food security, in particular, is an incredibly problematic issue. It needs to be brought to a halt as soon as possible.”
He said Türkiye is continuing intensive diplomatic contacts and making substantial efforts to facilitate the transportation of grain from the Black Sea to international markets.
Fidan said the Ukraine war has caused significant human suffering alongside its economic and geostrategic consequences. He voiced concern that the conflict could spread further if international efforts fail to stop it.
He said many of the scenarios Türkiye had previously feared of the war expanding had already materialized.
“If we do not stop it, the conflict could expand further, a scenario we certainly do not wish to see. To be frank, we are warning both international and regional actors about this. For our part, we will continue to do everything we can,” he said.
Using its good relations with both Russia and Ukraine, Türkiye has continued to position itself as a diplomatic interlocutor in efforts to end the war and address its broader regional and international consequences.
In a joint news conference with Zelenskyy on Saturday, President Erdoğan stated that attacks on civilian vessels could further escalate tensions in Black Sea, which would serve no one’s interests.
Underlining that their meeting also addressed ensuring Black Sea maritime safety, Erdoğan said that Ankara has been “actively” working to protect maritime safety and stability.
“However, in parallel with the recent escalation, we are witnessing the conflict spreading into the Black Sea,” he said. “We cannot accept these attacks under any circumstances, regardless of who carries them out or what justification they may offer,” he added, urging both parties to act responsibly and conduct themselves accordingly.
The Turkish president vowed that Ankara would continue to hold talks with both sides on restoring safety in the Black Sea.
Erdoğan underlined that the talks between Ukraine and Russia, hosted by Türkiye, had shown that concrete results can be achieved through diplomacy. “Even at this stage, we maintain that there can be no losers in a just peace,” he said. The Turkish leader expressed Ankara’s readiness to make “every possible effort to pave the way for peace” in Ukraine.
He voiced hope for fresh momentum to efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace in Ukraine, helped by a possible deal over safety in the Black Sea. He said they intend to advance the process through discussions with Russia as well. “Today, we once again reaffirmed our commitment to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of our strategic partner, Ukraine,” he said. “The entry into force, as of Oct. 1, of the free trade agreement signed between our countries in 2022 represents an important milestone in our bilateral economic and trade relations. “This agreement has brought us one step closer to our target of achieving a bilateral trade volume of $10 billion,” he said. Turkish companies that remained in Ukraine despite the war, which began in 2022, will play a significant role in the country’s reconstruction, he added.
For his part, Zelenskyy said that he had agreed with Erdoğan to work on the Black Sea grain corridor.
“Today, I reached an agreement with President Erdoğan to work on the Black Sea grain corridor. Our goal is to ensure that this corridor remains in place and continues to function effectively,” he said during the news conference.
Türkiye was instrumental in establishing the first Black Sea grain corridor of 2022-2023. Zelenskyy said Türkiye supports efforts to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and restore normal living conditions. “Türkiye consistently supports our efforts to ensure our sovereignty and territorial integrity, secure safe navigation in the Black Sea, and restore normal living conditions in the Black Sea region,” he said.
He also described Türkiye and Ukraine as allies in defense and the defense industry, saying their cooperation would continue to grow. “We are working on new joint industrial ventures and other economic projects. The free trade agreement between our nations has entered into force, creating new opportunities for both the Ukrainian and Turkish business communities,” he said.
He added that progress on freedom of navigation would help unlock the agreement’s full potential, while energy and infrastructure projects offered significant opportunities for both countries. “Especially at a time when the Russians have intensified their terrorist attacks on the energy infrastructure of our cities and villages, every energy project we undertake with our partners carries great importance,” he said.
Zelenskyy said he also met representatives from Turkish energy companies and expected supplies of generators and other energy equipment to increase in the coming week. He urged the swift implementation of agreements reached at the presidential level and thanked Türkiye for its continued support, saying cooperation in security and the economy was growing stronger despite difficult circumstances. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine was preparing for trilateral talks with Russia and the US scheduled for the first half of November.
“We discussed the prospects of this format and other possibilities with the president, specifically the potential for including Türkiye and the rest of Europe in the process, as well as the possibility of holding meetings here in Türkiye,” he said.
He stressed that “strong decisions are needed to achieve peace” and urged a clear message to be delivered to Russia at every level that there was no alternative to peace and that support for Ukraine would not weaken. He said de-escalation was possible if Russia was compelled to take steps to reduce tensions.
New Party (YP) lawmaker Mustafa Sarıgül faces further legal troubles as his son and a family associate have told investigators about alleged corruption and bribery involving the politician. The former mayor of Istanbul’s Şişli district, who founded a political party and served as a lawmaker first for the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and later for the YP, saw his sons and close associates detained last month over allegations of money laundering. Sarıgül left the party last week as the investigation closed in on the lawmaker, who currently retains parliamentary immunity.
His son, Emir Sarıgül, has cooperated with authorities, according to a report by the Sabah newspaper, alleging that his father bribed YP leader Özgür Özel to secure his position. He said his father had handed Özel a total of $350,000 in cash concealed among gift packages.
Emir Sarıgül was one of 24 suspects detained last month as part of an investigation into the Sarıgül family over allegations of money laundering and unexplained wealth. He recently gave an additional statement to prosecutors, detailing the hundreds of thousands of dollars allegedly handed directly to Özel.
“I know that during the establishment of the New Party, $250,000 was left inside a vehicle belonging to Özgür Özel to cover the interior furnishing of the party’s headquarters. The money was handed over outside a restaurant in Ümitköy, Ankara. My father and Özgür Özel had dinner that day with a group of six or seven members of parliament. As they left the restaurant, my father personally placed the $250,000 in the back of Özgür Özel’s vehicle. He told me this himself.
“He also told me that Özel had been given another $100,000 in cash last month. At the time, my father told me that Özgür Özel would be coming to his house in Ankara for dinner. He asked me to buy two scarves from a store. I purchased them and handed them to my father. He then placed $100,000 inside the scarf package at his house in Istanbul. The scarves were placed alongside the money. We then prepared the package as a gift.
“He took the package and drove to Istanbul Airport in his own vehicle. He flew to Ankara, first stopping by Parliament before going to his house in Ümitköy. Özel came over for dinner that evening, and the money was handed to him in person. My father told me about it the following day,” he said.
Özel’s name has been repeatedly linked to bribery allegations dating back to his tenure as head of the CHP. Figures close to Özel already face charges of bribing delegates to secure their votes for him in the party’s 2023 internal election, which brought him to power. Muhittin Böcek, the former mayor of Antalya who was arrested on corruption charges, has also claimed that he repeatedly delivered cash to Özel in secret to secure his nomination as the CHP’s candidate in the 2024 municipal elections.
Cihan Tunç, a family associate who was detained as part of the money-laundering investigation, also detailed the Sarıgül family’s alleged shady dealings in his testimony to investigators, according to a report by the Hürriyet newspaper. He alleged that the Sarıgüls had transported gold and diamonds purchased at Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar abroad aboard private jets.
Saying he had known Emir Sarıgül for 25 years, Tunç alleged that after Mustafa Sarıgül became mayor of Şişli, he had a private office allocated to his son on the municipality’s sixth floor, where Emir began following up on various business matters.
“During the period when many construction projects were underway, Emir Sarıgül would meet with the owners of those projects there. Davut Kaymak served as the municipality’s information technology director both during Mustafa Sarıgül’s tenure and before it. I had heard from people inside the municipality that this individual altered the dates of tax payments made by citizens and deleted certain records. I suspect these changes may have been related to zoning procedures,” he said, implying that Sarıgül may have received bribes in exchange for zoning permits.
Tunç also claimed that Beşir Ömer Demir, Mustafa Sarıgül’s personal bodyguard, was given an apartment in Istanbul in exchange for his silence. Leaked footage allegedly showing the lawmaker and Demir having sex surfaced earlier, although Sarıgül denied its authenticity. Demir was also detained as part of the investigation and admitted that he had been involved in a longstanding sexual relationship with Sarıgül, but said he had been afraid to come forward earlier.
Thousands of students and residents marched on Friday silently through the streets of Alanya in southern Türkiye, carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags to protest Israeli attacks on Gaza and drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians.
Thousands of students and residents gathered in the Alanya district of southern Türkiye’s Antalya province for a silent march protesting Israel’s attacks on Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestinians.
The demonstration, titled “Silent Cry for Gaza,” was organized by the Alanya Imam Hatip Alumni Association (ALIMDER) in cooperation with the Alanya District Directorate of National Education and the District Directorate of Youth and Sports.
Carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags alongside banners, demonstrators walked without chanting slogans, using silence to draw attention to the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
Following the march, ALIMDER President Isa Arıkan delivered a statement condemning the humanitarian situation in Gaza and criticizing what he described as the international community’s silence over Palestinian suffering.
“We gathered here today to let our conscience speak where words have failed,” Arıkan said.
“We did not shout today because the cries of children in Gaza were louder than our voices. We did not chant slogans because the silence of destroyed homes was heavier than any slogan,” he added.
Arıkan noted the demonstration was intended to raise awareness of the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and encourage greater international attention to the plight of Palestinians.
He argued that the suffering in Gaza should not be viewed solely in the context of the past three years but as part of a longer history of occupation, blockade, displacement and violence affecting Palestinians.
Describing the situation as a test of humanity, Arıkan accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and condemned attacks affecting children, hospitals, schools and residential areas.
“We simply walked today, but every step we took became a question directed at the conscience of the world,” he said.
Karam Saleh, a Palestinian student in Alanya and a representative of Palestinian students in the district, expressed appreciation for the demonstration and the support shown by local residents.
Saleh, whose family lives in Palestine, said solidarity events organized in Türkiye provide encouragement to Palestinians and remind them that they have not been forgotten.
“This march was truly meaningful. I will do my best to convey it to Palestine,” Saleh said.
“When such demonstrations take place, people in Palestine feel happy because they realize they are not alone and have not been abandoned in their struggle,” he added.
The demonstration concluded with prayers and messages of support for Palestinians, as participants reiterated their calls for greater international awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul on Saturday as the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties, the Russia-Ukraine war and growing security concerns in the Black Sea.
Zelenskyy arrived in Istanbul earlier in the day for a working visit at Erdoğan’s invitation. He was welcomed at the airport by Turkish National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.
The Ukrainian president confirmed his arrival in a post on X, saying he had landed in Istanbul with his delegation for important discussions with Erdoğan.
“We’re working to strengthen the protection of our people, our bilateral partnership with Türkiye, and real diplomatic prospects,” Zelenskyy wrote.
He also highlighted the importance of maritime security, saying there were significant issues to address concerning commercial shipping in the Black Sea. A meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was also on his agenda.
The two presidents met at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Office, where their discussions were expected to focus on expanding cooperation between Ankara and Kyiv and addressing regional and international developments.
Turkish Presidency Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said the talks would cover steps to further develop bilateral relations, with particular attention to the war in Ukraine and the security situation in the Black Sea.
A joint news conference was expected following the meeting.
Black Sea security
The safety of commercial shipping has become an increasingly important concern for Türkiye as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to threaten maritime traffic and critical infrastructure in the region.
Both countries’ military operations have created risks for civilian vessels, including those transporting essential goods through the Black Sea. Attacks involving drones, missiles and naval mines have raised concerns about the potential impact on international trade and regional stability.
Türkiye has repeatedly called on Moscow and Kyiv to avoid attacks on commercial shipping and respect maritime safety principles.
Speaking after a trilateral meeting with Bulgarian and Romanian defense ministers in Sofia in late October, Güler warned both sides against further attacks on civilian vessels. He also said Türkiye reserved its legal rights in the event of strikes against Turkish-flagged or Turkish-owned ships.
Ankara has proposed measures to prevent attacks on commercial vessels and improve maritime safety, including efforts to facilitate grain shipments. Türkiye has also worked with regional partners on mine countermeasures and the protection of undersea infrastructure.
The issue is particularly important for Türkiye, which controls access between the Mediterranean and Black Sea through the Turkish Straits and has consistently sought to prevent the conflict from further destabilizing the region.
Türkiye maintains diplomatic role
Türkiye has maintained relations with both Ukraine and Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, while supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ankara played a central role in brokering the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative alongside the United Nations, allowing Ukrainian agricultural exports to reach international markets despite the war. The agreement collapsed in 2023 after Russia withdrew.
Türkiye has since continued to offer its diplomatic support for efforts to end the conflict, including hosting negotiations between the two sides in Istanbul.
Erdoğan and Zelenskyy have also maintained contact through bilateral meetings and international diplomatic engagements. Their discussions have included maritime security, trade, defense cooperation and possible avenues for renewed negotiations.
The relationship extends beyond diplomacy, with both countries exploring opportunities for cooperation in defense technology and industry. Ukrainian officials have expressed interest in combining Türkiye’s technological capabilities with Ukraine’s engineering expertise, particularly in the development of drones and other defense systems.
Economic cooperation, energy projects and Ukraine’s eventual reconstruction also remain important areas of bilateral engagement.
Zelenskyy to meet Ecumenical Patriarch
Beyond his meeting with Erdoğan, Zelenskyy was scheduled to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Patriarchate in Istanbul’s Fener district.
The Ukrainian president has previously held discussions with the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians on humanitarian concerns arising from the war, including the plight of Ukrainian children, as well as the religious situation in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy thanked those supporting his country ahead of the visit, emphasizing the importance of continued international solidarity as Kyiv pursues diplomatic efforts and seeks stronger security guarantees.
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