The Associated Press reported that a Liberian-flagged vessel sank off Bulgaria Oct. 29, before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are due to discuss Black Sea security in Istanbul.
The ship had been hit by drones, according to AP, which said all 18 crew members were rescued. AP counted the incident as Bulgaria’s fifth drone attack in its exclusive economic zone during October.
Türkiye’s Presidency Directorate of Communications said Friday that Zelenskyy would make a working visit to Türkiye on Oct. 31 at Erdoğan’s invitation. The planned Oct. 31 meeting is set for Istanbul and will cover closer cooperation between Türkiye and Ukraine, alongside regional and international matters. The directorate highlighted Russia’s war against Ukraine and security in the Black Sea.
In its account of Erdoğan’s Oct. 7 phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the directorate said the Turkish leader raised protection of Black Sea shipping and offered support for efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine into direct communication.
Earlier diplomacy has also involved Black Sea trade and the war. The United Nations (UN) says Russia, Türkiye and Ukraine joined the organization in launching the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul on July 22, 2022. The initiative created a safety arrangement for shipments of grain, related foodstuffs and fertilizer from designated Ukrainian ports, the UN said. Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted the third round of direct Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul on July 23, 2025.
The scheduled meeting brings bilateral cooperation, the war and Black Sea security together on the leaders’ agenda. It is set for Saturday, Oct. 31.
