Türkiye steps up diplomacy to forge Black Sea agreement
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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (Photo: REUTERS/Murad Seze)
Türkiye has recently stepped up diplomatic efforts to reach
an agreement on the situation in the Black Sea, holding talks with the parties
in an effort to reconcile their positions.
“Our work is continuing, with particular attention now being
paid to the Black Sea. We are holding talks with the parties on this issue, and
we have proposals. We have received responses from the parties and are working
to reconcile them so that a mutually acceptable approach can be developed on
that basis,” Fidan said.
Fidan said Ankara believes a basis for compromise can be
found if the parties have the necessary political will and goodwill.
“We have recently stepped up our efforts to reach an
agreement. We hope the necessary initiatives will allow us to reach an
agreement,” he said.
Fidan also pointed to the growing number of attacks on
civilian vessels in the Black Sea. He stressed that the spread of the war into
the Black Sea and threats to the lives of Turkish citizens and the operations
of companies are unacceptable.
Black Sea situation
In July 2026, Russian forces significantly intensified
attacks on port infrastructure and Ukraine’s civilian fleet. A strike on the Golden
Leo, which killed 10 people, along with attacks on the Gas
Lisbon tanker and the Golden Rose bulk carrier, prompted shipowners to suspend
operations at Odesa ports. Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports continued in
August.
Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi said vessel arrivals at
Ukrainian seaports were temporarily suspended starting on July 22 because of
the strikes. On Aug. 24, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had failed
to completely block the Black Sea corridor.
Ukraine recorded 35 Russian attacks on vessels in ports in
July, 22 on vessels at sea and 67 strikes on port infrastructure. Bloomberg
estimated that the
attacks could cost Ukraine about 2% of GDP.
Reuters reported on Aug. 13 that Ukraine had sent Russia a
proposal through a third party to mutually halt attacks on civilian targets in
the Black Sea. On Aug. 14, however, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria
Zakharova said Moscow did not consider it appropriate to return to the
2022–2023 Black Sea initiative or suspend hostilities in the Black Sea.
On Aug. 31, Fidan said Ankara had prepared a plan for the
safe passage of grain through the Black Sea and contacted Ukraine and Russia
about it.
On Sept. 4, Zelenskyy said Ukraine and its partners were
preparing measures to ensure the safe export of food through the Black Sea.
On Sept. 9, Russian occupation forces attacked the cargoship TEDY with drones in the Black Sea. Two Azerbaijani citizens were killed
and two others were wounded.
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