Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Turkey Urges Ukraine and Russia to Halt Black Sea Attacks
Turkey’s president met Ukraine’s president to discuss fighting in the Black Sea.
Ships carrying goods have been attacked during the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Turkey said these attacks should stop because they make travel dangerous.
It also said ships carrying food, such as grain, need to move safely.
Turkey has offered ideas to both countries and is waiting for their answers.
Ukraine said it is ready to discuss a temporary truce at sea.
Turkey and the United Nations previously helped create an agreement for Ukrainian grain exports.
Russia later left that agreement, saying its own food and fertilizer exports faced problems.
President Tayyip Erdogan told Volodymyr Zelenskiy that attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea were inexplicable.
Erdogan said navigational safety must be improved and urged Russia and Ukraine to act responsibly.
Turkey has offered proposals to both sides to stop the attacks and is awaiting their responses.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine was ready for a Black Sea maritime truce based on proposals from Egypt, India and Turkey.
Turkey and the United Nations previously helped establish the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Russia left the following year.
- Who
- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy; the Turkish government also referred to Russia and Ukraine.
- What
- Erdogan urged an end to attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and called for safer navigation.
- When
- Thursday, September 24; the year is not specified in the article.
- Where
- The discussion concerned the Black Sea; Zelenskiy made related remarks at a Crimean Platform summit held alongside the General Assembly.
- Why
- Turkey wants to improve maritime safety, protect commercial shipping and enable grain shipments while supporting efforts to end the war with lasting peace.
Turkey and Ukraine’s Truce Efforts
Russia’s Objections and Current Position
Black Sea shipping
Turkey and Ukraine’s Truce Efforts
Turkey called for safer navigation and an end to attacks on commercial vessels, while Ukraine said it was ready for a maritime truce.
Russia’s Objections and Current Position
Russia’s current response to the new proposals was not provided; it previously withdrew from the grain initiative, saying its food and fertilizer exports faced serious obstacles.
Diplomatic approach
Turkey and Ukraine’s Truce Efforts
Turkey said it would continue efforts to revive direct negotiations and work toward lasting peace.
Russia’s Objections and Current Position
Russia has maintained its stated objections regarding obstacles to its own exports, as reported in connection with its withdrawal from the earlier agreement.
- Main issue
- Attacks by Russia and Ukraine on commercial vessels in the Black Sea
- Turkey’s position
- The attacks are inexplicable, and both sides should act responsibly to protect navigation
- Turkey’s proposals
- Ankara has offered Russia and Ukraine ideas to stop the attacks and is awaiting responses
- Ukraine’s position
- Kyiv said it was ready for a maritime truce in the Black Sea
- Earlier agreement
- Turkey and the United Nations helped mediate the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2022
- Russia’s action
- Russia withdrew from the grain agreement the following year
- Stated consequence
- Wheat importers in Asia, the Middle East and Africa have faced difficulty securing supplies