Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday the Black Sea must not become a zone of confrontation between Russia and Ukraine.
“This would not benefit Russia or Ukraine. Everyone needs safe navigation in the Black Sea,” Erdogan was quoted by Anadolu Agency as saying aboard his plane returning from Turkmenistan.
He met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a peace forum and urged a “limited ceasefire” to halt strikes on energy and port facilities.
Ankara has voiced concern about the conflict spilling into the Black Sea. In early December, Türkiye’s exclusive economic zone saw drone attacks on Russia‑flagged or Russia‑bound tankers, claimed by Ukraine.
On Friday, a missile hit a Turkish‑owned civilian ship at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk port near Odesa, causing damage but no casualties. Ukrainian officials blamed Russia, which has not commented.