Zelenskyy and Erdoğan push for trilateral talks as Oleshky evacuation concludes

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Saturday that the recent humanitarian operation in Oleshky proves de-escalation is achievable when Russia faces specific pressure. Speaking at a news conference in Istanbul alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Zelenskyy argued that strong decisions are required to bring peace. He emphasized that Russia must understand there is no alternative to peace and that international support for Ukraine will not diminish.

The Ukrainian president and his Turkish counterpart discussed the prospect of holding trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in early November. They also explored ways to involve Türkiye and the rest of Europe in the peace process. Erdoğan criticized attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, calling them unacceptable regardless of the justification offered. He urged both sides to act responsibly and said talks to restore safe navigation would continue.

In Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that interest is growing in the international community for a limited Black Sea ceasefire. The goal is to ensure unfettered energy and grain shipments. Rubio noted that the US is reviewing proposals from Turkey and India to move grain shipments while continuing to press for a broader negotiated settlement. He described the current situation as threatening global food and energy security, speaking after a two-day G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta that included Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Evacuees from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky crossed into Ukrainian-held territory on Saturday under the US-brokered localized ceasefire. Many arrived at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border wrapped in national flags to reunite with family members. Residents described dire conditions during the occupation. Valera, a 29-year-year-old former resident, told Agence France-Presse that people cooked grass because there was nothing else to eat. He described piles of bodies on roads and damaged cars, calling the situation brutal and terrifying.

The military conflict continued elsewhere on the front. Ukraine’s general staff reported that drones and Neptune coastal missiles struck the Kombinat Kamensky chemical and defense enterprise in Russia’s Rostov region. The overnight attack in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky caused a fire and damaged four production facilities. The truce in the southern Kherson region is scheduled to remain in effect until Sunday evening.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of making the situation in the Black Sea difficult. He and Erdoğan maintained that their discussions focused on creating a framework for future negotiations. The two leaders agreed that signals must be sent to Russia indicating that support for Ukraine remains firm. The next step involves coordinating with the United States to finalize the timing of the proposed trilateral meeting.