Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday warned that the Black Sea must not become an “area of confrontation” between Russia and Ukraine, after a series of recent military strikes, according to AFP.
“The Black Sea should not be seen as an area of confrontation. This would not benefit Russia or Ukraine. Everyone needs safe navigation in the Black Sea,” Erdogan said.
On Friday, Russia launched an air strike, damaging a Turkish-owned vessel in a port in Ukraine’s Black Sea region of Odesa, Kyiv.
The air strike occurred just hours after Erdogan had personally addressed the issue with Russian Counterpart Vladimir Putin during a summit in Turkmenistan.
During the talks with Putin, Erdogan urged for a “limited ceasefire” regrading assaults on ports and energy facilities in the Russia-Ukraine war.
“Like all other actors, Mr. Putin knows very well where Turkey stands on this issue,” he said.
Erdogan said, on the plane, he basically discussed the war and peace efforts with Putin.
“After this meeting we held with Putin, we hope to have the opportunity to also discuss the peace plan with US President (Donald) Trump,” he added. “Peace is not far away; we can see it.”
Turkey, which has sought to balance its diplomatic ties with both Moscow and Kyiv amid the ongoing conflict, holds strategic control over the Bosphorus Strait—a crucial maritime corridor for transporting Ukrainian grain and Russian oil toward the Mediterranean.
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