In a meeting in Ankara on Thursday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea by both Russia and Ukraine are “inexplicable” and that decisive action is needed to safeguard navigation.

Turkey’s diplomatic push for safety

Erdogan emphasized that Turkey stands ready to do everything possible to bring the Russia‑Ukraine war to a lasting peace and to revive direct negotiations between the two sides. He added that Turkey expects both parties to act responsibly and to take concrete steps to ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea.

Offers to mediate and protect grain shipments

Ankara has already sent proposals to Kyiv and Moscow aimed at stopping the attacks, some of which have targeted Turkish‑owned vessels and resulted in the loss of Turkish citizens. The Turkish government is awaiting a response, stressing that a solution is essential for the safe export of grain from the region, a lifeline for many Asian, Middle‑Eastern and African nations.

Context of the Black Sea grain initiative

The Black Sea has been a critical conduit for Ukrainian wheat and other grains since the war began in 2022. Turkey and the United Nations helped broker the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2022, allowing Ukrainian grain to reach global markets. Russia withdrew from the agreement in 2023, claiming its own food and fertilizer exports were being hindered.

Earlier this month, President Zelenskiy told leaders at a “Crimean Platform” summit on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly that Ukraine is prepared to consider a maritime truce in the Black Sea, drawing on proposals from Egypt, India and Turkey.

Turkey’s balanced stance

While Turkey provides military assistance to Kyiv and affirms Ukraine’s territorial integrity, it has refused to join Western sanctions against Moscow and continues to maintain commercial ties with Russia. Ankara has also hosted previous rounds of direct talks between the two sides and offered to act as a mediator.

By urging both belligerents to cease attacks on merchant shipping, President Erdogan is reinforcing Turkey’s long‑standing role as a bridge between East and West, seeking to protect the lives of seafarers, the interests of Turkish businesses, and the food security of nations that depend on Black Sea grain.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.