Turkey proposes Russia-Ukraine deal to end Black Sea attacks

ANKARA, Sept 17: Turkey has sent a proposal to Russia and Ukraine that would end attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea, a Turkish diplomat told AFP on Thursday.

The move follows a sharp increase in attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea in recent months, often using drones.
At least 25 Turkish-owned vessels -- four of them flying a Turkish flag -- have been hit since late June, industry figures show. 

"We have shared a text of a memorandum, a draft text, with the Russians and the Ukrainians to come up with a solution to those strikes taking place in the Black Sea," the diplomat said.

Turkey has been pushing Russia and Ukraine to suspend attacks on civilian vessels, with Foreign Minister HakanFidan demanding a "moratorium" on August 8 in a call that appeared to have fallen on deaf ears.�"AFP