Erdogan Slams Black Sea Shipping Attacks in Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Black Sea shipping attacks targeting civilian vessels were unacceptable, urging Russia and Ukraine to act responsibly. He spoke at a news conference in Istanbul with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, as concern grows over strikes on commercial shipping in the region.

“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.”

Despite its ties with both Russia and Ukraine, Turkiye has been angered by attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea. Ankara has sent a proposal to Russia and Ukraine to end strikes on civilian ships, but says the two countries have failed to act on it.

Black Sea shipping attacks: the proposal that stalled

Erdogan said discussions aimed at restoring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea would continue.

“I believe that reaching an agreement on this issue would also give fresh impetus to efforts to secure lasting peace in Ukraine,” he added.

Zelensky accused Russia of making the situation in the Black Sea difficult, saying a significant part of his talks with Erdogan had focused on security concerns in the region. He said he had discussed the format of the talks with Erdogan, as well as other possibilities, “in particular the possibilities of involving Turkiye, involving Europe, involving all partners”.

The Black Sea matters because it carries a large share of the region’s commercial shipping. Strikes on civilian vessels raise insurance costs, disrupt supply routes and put crews at risk, so a deal to spare civilian shipping would have effects well beyond the two warring states.

Peace talks and the US initiative

Erdogan also welcomed renewed momentum behind efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war through diplomatic means, referring in particular to US President Donald Trump’s initiative. “At this point, we maintain that there can be no losers in a just peace,” he said.

Last week, the Kremlin said the next round of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US was expected to resume in November in the UAE. The Istanbul meeting gave Zelensky a chance to press Turkiye’s case for a wider role in those talks, with European partners involved alongside Turkiye.

Turkiye’s position is unusual. It is a NATO member that has kept working relations with both Moscow and Kyiv since the war began, and it has hosted earlier rounds of talks between the two sides.

Patriot missiles approval

Separately, the Trump administration has approved the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, the US State Department said, but the Ukrainian president warned that deliveries could take years.

The approval, which will be submitted to Congress for review, comes after weeks of complaints by Ukrainian authorities that their supplies of the interceptor missiles were dwindling. “The proposed sale will improve Ukraine’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its integrated air and missile defence capabilities,” the department said in a statement.

The statement did not provide an estimate of when the weapons could be delivered to Ukraine. Zelensky said late on Friday in a post on X that “deliveries may begin only in a few years”.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Erdogan say about Black Sea shipping attacks?

Erdogan said attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea were unacceptable under any circumstances, regardless of who carries them out, and called on all parties to act responsibly.

What proposal has Turkiye made to Russia and Ukraine?

Ankara has proposed an agreement to end strikes on civilian ships in the Black Sea. Erdogan said both countries have so far failed to act on the proposal, but discussions on restoring safe navigation will continue.

What is the state of the Russia-Ukraine peace talks?

The Kremlin said last week that the next round of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US was expected to resume in November in the UAE. Zelensky discussed involving Turkiye and Europe in the talks format.

What did the US approve on Patriot missiles for Ukraine?

The Trump administration approved the potential sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, subject to Congress review. Zelensky warned that deliveries may begin only in a few years.