ANKARA, Oct 28 (Reuters) – Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler warned Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday against further attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, stating that Ankara reserves the right to pursue legal action in response to such strikes. This marks Turkey’s most direct intervention in the ongoing conflict’s maritime dimension.
As a NATO member maintaining diplomatic ties with both Moscow and Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Turkey has repeatedly called for both parties to cease attacks targeting commercial shipping in the Black Sea. These attacks have also impacted Turkish-flagged and Turkish-owned commercial vessels.
In a statement, Ankara confirmed it is awaiting responses to a proposal communicated to both Russia and Ukraine aimed at halting the escalating attacks and ensuring the safe shipment of grain from the region.
Speaking in Sofia following a security meeting involving defense ministers and military chiefs from Black Sea littoral states—Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria—Guler highlighted that commercial vessels navigating the Black Sea have faced significant threats including drone attacks, stray naval mines, and missile strikes during the conflict.
“We monitor the intense attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea with deep concern and urge all parties to exercise restraint in accordance with the principles governing navigational safety in international waters,” Guler stated. He noted an additional commercial vessel was struck by three drones within Bulgaria’s maritime jurisdiction earlier that day.
The origins of the attack on the Greek-operated container ship flying the Liberian flag inside Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone remained unclear at the time of reporting.
“We also retain all necessary legal rights concerning attacks on Turkish-flagged or Turkish-owned vessels and are closely monitoring developments,” Guler emphasized. “Continuous diplomatic efforts are underway to ensure commercial shipping remains outside conflict zones and to immediately halt attacks on civilian vessels.”
Since July, Ukraine has intensified its operations against ships and infrastructure linked to Russian oil and grain exports, coinciding with Russia’s increased missile and drone assaults on key Ukrainian ports including Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdennyi.
During a late September meeting, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan conveyed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that attacks by either side on commercial shipping in the Black Sea are indefensible and require urgent measures to prevent further escalation.
Guler further noted that Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria—currently conducting joint mine-clearance operations in the Black Sea—have agreed on the importance of expanding protective efforts to safeguard critical undersea infrastructure.
(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; edited by Sharon Singleton)
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