Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed on Saturday his country’s readiness to make every possible effort to advance peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following talks in Istanbul, Erdoğan said discussions had focused on peace initiatives and security in the Black Sea.

He warned that attacks against civilian vessels and actions escalating tensions would benefit neither side.

Erdoğan also expressed confidence that Turkish companies that had continued operating in Ukraine throughout the war would contribute to the country’s postwar reconstruction.