Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Russia and Ukraine to act responsibly, condemning attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea as unacceptable.
Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul on Saturday (October 31), Erdogan warned that attacks on commercial shipping could further escalate regional tensions.
He said Ankara had proposed ending strikes on civilian vessels and would continue talks with both sides to restore safe navigation in the Black Sea.
Erdogan also said an agreement on maritime security could boost efforts to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine. Turkey has repeatedly offered to facilitate negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
-AH