Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that the war between Russia and Ukraine must not spread to the Black Sea.
According to Yonhap News on July 16, Fidan made the remarks during a joint press conference after meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv. He stated, "Concerns are growing over the escalation of the conflict as situations threatening Black Sea security continue to arise."
He added, "Attacks on ports, tankers, and fishing vessels that threaten civilian lives are unacceptable," urging all parties to act with common sense and responsibility.
As hostilities between Russia and Ukraine have intensified, incidents of attacks on commercial vessels traveling through the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov have increased. Turkey, which connects the Black Sea and the Mediterranean through the Bosporus Strait, actively trades with countries along the Black Sea.
Fidan also stated that Russia and Ukraine should continue their peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, in the same manner. He emphasized that security guarantees for Ukraine are the most crucial element in the peace negotiations.
Regarding the NATO summit held in Ankara on July 7-8, he assessed that "NATO allies have clearly expressed their commitment to ongoing support for Ukraine."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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