Erdogan Warns Against Black Sea Becoming ‘Area of Confrontation’ Amid Russia-Ukraine Strikes

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday cautioned that the Black Sea must not turn into an “area of confrontation” between Russia and Ukraine, amid a spate of attacks in recent weeks.

“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 was quoted as telling reporters aboard his plane, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency.

His remarks came a day after a Russian air strike damaged a Turkish-owned vessel at a port in Ukraine’s Black Sea region of Odesa, according to Kyiv and the ship’s operator.

The strike occurred just hours after Erdogan had raised the issue directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a summit in Turkmenistan. During their face-to-face talks, Erdogan called for a “limited ceasefire” covering attacks on ports and energy infrastructure in the Russia-Ukraine war, his office said.

Speaking to journalists during his return flight, Erdogan said his discussions with Putin focused largely on the war and ongoing peace efforts. “Like all other actors, Mr Putin knows very well where Turkiye stands on this issue,” he said, according to Anadolu.

Erdogan added that Ankara hopes to also discuss peace proposals with US President Donald Trump. “After this meeting we held with Putin, we hope to have the opportunity to also discuss the peace plan with US President Trump,” he said, adding, “Peace is not far away, we can see it.”

Turkiye has sought to maintain balanced relations with both Moscow and Kyiv since the start of the war. It also controls the Bosphorus Strait, a strategic chokepoint for the transport of Ukrainian grain and Russian oil to the Mediterranean.

In recent weeks, several Russia-linked tankers in the Black Sea have also come under attack, some in drone strikes claimed by Ukraine. The incidents prompted sharp criticism from Ankara, which summoned envoys from both Russia and Ukraine to convey its concerns.