Turkey’s President Erdogan urges Russia and Ukraine to avoid confrontation in the Black Sea, calling for safe navigation and discussing peace efforts.
ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Saturday that the Black Sea must not become an “area of confrontation” between Russia and Ukraine.
He issued the statement following a series of recent strikes in the region, including one damaging a Turkish-owned ship.
“The Black Sea should not be seen as an area of confrontation,” Erdogan told reporters aboard his plane, according to the Anadolu news agency.
He added that such a situation would not benefit Russia or Ukraine and that safe navigation is essential for everyone.
The warning comes after a Russian air strike damaged a Turkish-owned vessel in Ukraine’s Odesa port region on Friday.
That attack occurred just hours after Erdogan raised the issue directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Their meeting took place on the sidelines of a summit in Turkmenistan.
According to his office, Erdogan called for a “limited ceasefire” regarding attacks on ports and energy facilities during the war.
He told reporters he mainly discussed the war and peace efforts with Putin during their talks.
“Like all other actors, Mr Putin knows very well where Turkey stands on this issue,” Erdogan stated.
The Turkish leader also expressed hope to discuss a peace plan with US President Donald Trump following the meeting with Putin.
“Peace is not far away, we can see it,” he added.
Turkey has maintained relations with both Moscow and Kyiv throughout the conflict.
It controls the strategic Bosphorus Strait, a vital passage for Ukrainian grain and Russian oil exports.
Recent weeks have seen several attacks on Russia-linked tankers in the Black Sea.
Some of these were drone attacks claimed by Ukraine.
The incidents prompted Ankara to summon envoys from both Russia and Ukraine for discussions.
