In brief
In Istanbul on Saturday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded that Russia and Ukraine stop targeting civilian ships in the Black Sea, calling the attacks unacceptable. He and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to work on a new grain corridor to secure navigation and revive trade, though Turkey says neither side has yet responded. The U.S. is reviewing Turkey’s proposal while Russia and Ukraine remain silent.
In a joint press conference in Istanbul on Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged both Russia and Ukraine to stop striking civilian vessels in the Black Sea, describing the attacks as unacceptable. He added that attacks were unlawful regardless of the perpetrator or justification.
"It is clear that attacks against civilian vessels and actions that further escalate tensions in the Black Sea serve no one’s interests," Erdogan said.
We cannot accept these attacks under any circumstances, regardless of who carries them out or what justification is offered.
Erdogan said he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to collaborate on a new grain corridor to secure safe navigation and restore maritime commerce.
Zelenskyy affirmed the agreement, adding that Turkiye supports efforts to ensure safe navigation and normal living conditions in the region.
Turkiye maintains that Russia and Ukraine have not acted on the proposal to end attacks, even though Ankara has sent both sides a formal proposal.
Later in the day, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was growing international interest in a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea to secure grain and energy shipments, and that the United States was reviewing Turkish and Indian proposals to get grain shipments moving.
