Erdogan Meets with Zelensky a Day After Phone Call with Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Istanbul on April 4, 2026, for crucial talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This meeting took place just a day after Erdogan's phone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, underscoring Turkey's active diplomatic engagement in the face of escalating tensions in the region.

Zelensky emphasized that his visit to Turkey is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the partnership between Ukraine and Turkey, aimed at genuinely protecting lives and promoting stability and security in Europe and the Middle East. He expressed hope that joint efforts would always yield the best results, a sentiment he shared in a message on Telegram.

It is noteworthy that Zelensky's visit to Turkey comes just a week after his trip to three Gulf countries, where he discussed support for Ukraine in light of the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict, which has intensified following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. These events highlight the critical importance of international support for Ukraine amid global instability.

On April 3, Erdogan held a phone conversation with Putin, during which he called for an end to attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea. While he did not name Moscow as the culprit, his statement reflects Turkey's concern regarding the safety of maritime transportation in the region. The Turkish president's office released a statement urging all parties to refrain from actions that could escalate the conflict, asserting that the war in Iran should not create additional conflict zones in the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

Turkey positions itself as a potential peacemaker in the war, having already facilitated a grain export initiative through the Black Sea in 2022, which ensured safe maritime transport of grain and fertilizers from Ukraine. Following the onset of the war in Iran on February 28, Zelensky has been leveraging Ukraine's experience in downing Iranian Shahed drones to bolster air defense in the Gulf region.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader signed agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE for a decade-long joint production of weapons and training. Under these agreements, Ukraine will supply arms and defense technologies to Gulf countries, including systems that could help unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Zelensky informed reporters on March 30 that Iran had blocked vessels crossing the Strait in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Furthermore, Ukraine is positioning itself as a security partner in efforts to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran effectively restricted transport through this critical energy route. President Zelensky offered to assist partners with battle-tested weapons and operational experience, referencing Ukraine's efforts to support maritime exporters in the Black Sea despite the Russian blockade. 'We will do everything in our power,' he told reporters on April 2.