Erdogan: Attacks by Russia and Ukraine on Black Sea shipping must stop
Turkish president urges an end to strikes on Black Sea ships and reiterates mediation efforts, saying Ankara has proposed measures to Kyiv and Moscow and awaits their responses
Erdogan calls the attacks on Black Sea shipping unjustifiable and urges steps to stop them, while Turkey proposes measures and awaits responses from Kyiv and Moscow; Zelenskiy signals openness to a maritime ceasefire based on regional proposals.
Reuters, citing IRNA, reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Russia’s and Ukraine’s attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea are unjustifiable and must stop, and that steps should be taken to halt the strikes and secure shipping in the region. The Turkish presidency said Erdogan stressed the need to end the attacks and to pursue a lasting peace, continuing efforts toward direct negotiations. Ankara has said it has proposed to Kyiv and Moscow a set of measures to stop the attacks and is awaiting their responses; some of the attacks have targeted Turkish ships and led to Turkish casualties. Erdogan has supported Ukraine’s sovereignty but has not joined Western sanctions on Moscow, and Turkey has hosted multiple rounds of talks and remains willing to mediate. Zelenskiy, speaking at the Crimea Platform on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, said Ukraine is ready for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea based on proposals from Egypt, India and Turkey. The report notes that major wheat importers in Asia, the Middle East and Africa depend on Black Sea shipments, and that global wheat prices have risen. In July 2022, Turkey and the UN helped broker the Black Sea Grain Initiative to enable safe Ukrainian grain exports; Russia left the deal the following year. Turkey has reiterated its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its willingness to facilitate a resolution between the parties.