Erdogan Condemns Attacks on Civilian Ships in Black Sea, Urges Russia and Ukraine to Show Restraint
Turkish president says Ankara cannot accept strikes on commercial vessels as it pushes for an agreement to protect maritime navigation and revive peace negotiations
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday condemned attacks targeting civilian and commercial vessels in the Black Sea, calling on Russia and Ukraine to act responsibly and warning that further escalation threatens maritime security and regional stability.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul, Erdogan said attacks on civilian shipping served neither side's interests and could not be justified under any circumstances.
"It is clear that attacks against civilian vessels and actions that further escalate tensions in the Black Sea serve no one's interests," Erdogan said.
"We cannot accept these attacks under any circumstances, regardless of who carries them out or what justification is offered. We call on all parties to act responsibly on this matter," he added.
Erdogan said Türkiye had submitted a proposal to Moscow and Kyiv aimed at ending attacks on civilian vessels, but the two sides had yet to take the necessary steps to implement it.
Ankara would continue consultations with the parties concerned to restore safe navigation in the Black Sea, he said, expressing hope that an agreement on protecting civilian shipping could also provide fresh momentum to diplomatic efforts toward a lasting peace.
The Turkish president's remarks came as maritime security in the Black Sea has deteriorated amid intensified attacks involving drones, missiles, and naval operations linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Several commercial vessels, including Turkish-owned and Turkish-flagged ships, have been affected, raising concerns over the safety of international shipping routes and the potential economic consequences of further disruptions.
Türkiye seeks to prevent wider maritime escalation
Türkiye has increasingly voiced concern that the war between Russia and Ukraine is extending its impact beyond military targets, threatening commercial shipping and critical maritime infrastructure in the Black Sea.
On October 28, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler warned both Moscow and Kyiv against further attacks on commercial vessels, saying Ankara reserved the right to pursue legal action if Turkish-flagged or Turkish-owned ships were targeted.
Following a meeting with defense officials from Bulgaria and Romania in Sofia, Guler said commercial vessels had been exposed to drone attacks, naval mines, and missile strikes.
The three Black Sea countries also agreed to prioritize the protection of critical undersea infrastructure and maritime security.
Türkiye's diplomatic initiative to protect civilian vessels draws on the experience of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by Türkiye and the United Nations in July 2022.
The agreement established a mechanism allowing Ukraine to export grain and other agricultural products through designated Black Sea corridors despite the ongoing war.
However, Russia withdrew from the arrangement in July 2023, after which maritime security and the protection of commercial shipping remained major concerns.
Türkiye, a NATO member that maintains economic and diplomatic relations with Moscow while supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity, has sought to preserve its role as a mediator throughout the conflict.
Erdogan pushes for renewed peace diplomacy
Beyond maritime security, Erdogan reiterated Türkiye's readiness to support diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war through negotiations.
The Turkish president has hosted several rounds of talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives and has repeatedly offered Ankara as a venue for further negotiations.
In a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Erdogan said Türkiye was prepared to support efforts to revive the diplomatic process between Moscow and Kyiv and help bring the conflict to an end through negotiations, according to the Turkish presidency.
The latest meeting with Zelensky underscores Ankara's continued efforts to maintain diplomatic engagement with both sides while seeking to prevent the war from further disrupting Black Sea trade and security.
For Türkiye, the safety of civilian shipping is not only a maritime security concern but also an economic and strategic priority, given its position along the Black Sea and control of the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, which connect the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.