Erdoğan: Türkiye working with Russia, Ukraine to protect Black Sea shipping

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said Türkiye wants to help establish a mechanism that would permanently ensure the security of commercial maritime transport in the Black Sea, as the Russia-Ukraine war continues.

In an exclusive written interview with Newsweek published on September 25, Erdoğan said Türkiye was concerned about the risk of the conflict spreading to a wider region and stressed the need for restraint to prevent further escalation.

“Türkiye’s priority is to prevent the war from turning into a conflict that draws in other countries,” Erdoğan said.

He said reported sabotage and hybrid activities in Europe were adding to the fragility of the current security environment, but called for allegations to be assessed on the basis of solid evidence.

Erdoğan said Türkiye had maintained its position on the Russia-Ukraine war for more than four years and pointed to the İstanbul talks, the Black Sea Grain Initiative and prisoner exchanges as examples of its ability to engage with both Moscow and Kyiv.

“Türkiye is a strong NATO Ally,” he said, while stressing that Ankara could maintain direct contact with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Ukrainian leadership.

“I see no contradiction in this,” Erdoğan said, arguing that mediation requires communication with both sides.

The Turkish president said Black Sea security was now a particular priority for Ankara.

“We continue to engage with the parties to ensure that civilian shipping, trade routes, and energy infrastructure remain outside the war,” he said.

“I believe there is a need for a mechanism that will permanently ensure the security of commercial maritime transport in the Black Sea.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev