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Turkey's Erdogan tells Ukraine's Zelenskiy that Black Sea attacks are inexplicable
Reuters • • world
Key Points:
- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea by Russia and Ukraine are inexplicable and urged steps to stop these incidents.
- Turkey, a NATO member maintaining relations with both Moscow and Kyiv, has repeatedly called for an end to attacks in the Black Sea and offered to mediate for lasting peace and direct negotiations.
- Erdogan emphasized the need for navigational safety to protect commercial vessels, some of which are Turkish-owned and have suffered casualties, and urged responsible behavior from both sides.
- Turkey and the UN helped mediate the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2022 to enable safe Ukrainian grain exports, but Russia withdrew from the deal citing obstacles to its own food and fertilizer exports.
- Despite supporting Ukraine militarily and politically, Turkey has avoided Western sanctions on Russia and continues commercial ties, positioning itself as a mediator in the conflict.
