Ukraine and Türkiye have agreed to work on a Black Sea grain corridor after talks in Istanbul, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a joint news conference with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday 31 October. Zelenskyy said the goal was to ensure that the corridor remains in place and operates effectively.

Erdogan called attacks on civilian vessels unacceptable regardless of who carries them out or what justification is offered, and said attacks against civilian vessels and actions that further escalate tensions serve no one interests.

Why the corridor matters

Ukraine is one of the world major grain exporters, and attacks on merchant shipping have hit vessels well beyond Ukrainian waters. The Liberian-flagged container ship Contship Jet was struck by drones in Bulgaria exclusive economic zone, and attacks off the Bulgarian and Romanian coasts formed the backdrop to Bulgaria election campaign.

Ankara has sent Russia and Ukraine a proposal to end such attacks, but neither side has acted on it, according to Al Jazeera. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Türkiye has stepped up talks with both sides to reconcile their positions.

What happens next

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Atlanta that Washington is reviewing proposals from Türkiye and India for a limited Black Sea ceasefire covering grain and energy shipments. He said such a deal would not solve the war, but would solve a unique aspect of it.

Türkiye says talks on safe navigation will continue, but no start date for the corridor has been announced. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is preparing for a possible meeting with the United States and Russia in the first half of November.

Sources: NewsCubby world briefing, 2 November 2026, citing Al Jazeera, Ukrinform and The Sofia Globe.