Erdogan Tells Zelenskiy That Black Sea Attacks on Commercial Vessels Are Inexplicable

September 24, 2026 09:54

ANKARA — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy that attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea were inexplicable and demanded immediate steps to halt them, according to a readout from Erdogan’s office on Thursday.

As a NATO member that has maintained ties with both Moscow and Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Turkey has repeatedly urged both sides to cease Black Sea hostilities.

“During the meeting, President Erdogan stated that Turkey was ready to do all it can for the Ukraine-Russia war to end with lasting peace and that we will continue our efforts to revive direct negotiations,” the Turkish presidency said.

“Our President stated that a step must be taken regarding navigational safety in the Black Sea, that attacks on commercial vessels are inexplicable, and that we expect the sides to act responsibly,” the statement added.

Ankara has sent offers to Ukraine and Russia to stop the attacks, some of which have targeted Turkish-owned vessels and killed Turkish citizens, and is awaiting their response. It has stressed that a solution must be found so grain shipments can proceed safely from the region.

Earlier, Zelenskiy told leaders at a “Crimean Platform” summit on the sidelines of the General Assembly that Kyiv was ready for a maritime truce in the Black Sea based on proposals from Egypt, India, and Turkey.

Top wheat importers in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, which depend on the Black Sea region for wheat, have struggled to secure supplies, driving global wheat prices higher. Turkey and the United Nations helped mediate the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2022 to allow safe export of Ukrainian grain, but Russia withdrew the following year, citing obstacles to its own food and fertilizer exports.

Ankara has provided Kyiv with military backing and voiced support for its territorial integrity, but refused to join Western sanctions on Moscow and has maintained commercial ties with Russia. It has hosted previous rounds of direct talks between the sides and offered to mediate.

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