BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 22. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed hope that the Russia-Ukraine war will come to an end with Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity upheld, as Ankara continues diplomatic contacts with both Moscow and Kyiv.
Erdogan said Türkiye is maintaining communication with both sides with the aim of restoring safe navigation in the Black Sea, protecting food security and preventing the conflict from spreading to a wider region. Türkiye has repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue as part of efforts to bring the war to an end.
The Turkish president also drew attention to the security situation in the Black Sea, warning about attacks affecting commercial shipping. He described recent attacks against commercial vessels as unacceptable and stressed the importance of preventing military tensions from threatening civilian lives and maritime trade.
Earlier in September, Erdogan called for a mechanism that would permanently safeguard commercial maritime transport in the Black Sea. He warned that deteriorating maritime security could also contribute to renewed food supply problems, particularly in regions dependent on grain imports.
The issue has become increasingly significant as attacks linked to the Russia-Ukraine war affect commercial shipping. London’s marine insurance market recently expanded its designated high-risk zone to cover the entire Black Sea amid a rise in attacks on shipping.
Ankara has maintained relations with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the war and continues to emphasize diplomatic engagement, Black Sea navigation security and food supplies as central elements of its approach.
