Türkiye summons Russian, Ukrainian envoys over Black Sea ship attacks

Türkiye summoned the top Ukrainian and Russian diplomats in Ankara on Thursday to formally convey its concern over recent attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea. According to information obtained by Anadolu, Turkish officials met separately with Ukrainian Ambassador Nariman Celal and Russian charge d'affaires Aleksei Ivanov at the Foreign Ministry to discuss the incidents, which Ankara views as a direct threat to regional stability and its own economic interests.

Incidents Within Türkiye's Exclusive Economic Zone

The diplomatic démarche follows attacks last Saturday on the vessels Kairos and Virat. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli stated on X that these incidents occurred within Türkiye's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and "have posed serious risks to navigation, life, property and environmental safety in the region." This specification underscores the direct impact on Türkiye's sovereign maritime rights and regional security responsibilities.

Ankara's Diplomatic Efforts to Contain the Conflict

The summons reflect Türkiye's active diplomatic strategy to prevent the spillover of the Ukraine war into the Black Sea maritime domain. Keceli added that Ankara is engaged in talks with relevant parties to protect its economic interests and contain the conflict. As a key Black Sea power and the custodian of the Montreux Convention governing the straits, Türkiye positions itself as a necessary mediator and stabilizer in the region.

Balancing Relations Amidst Regional Tension

This move highlights Türkiye's delicate balancing act, maintaining relations with both Kyiv and Moscow while assertively defending its national security and economic zones. By addressing both parties simultaneously, Türkiye reinforces its neutral yet principled stance, emphasizing that attacks threatening Black Sea commerce and safety are unacceptable, regardless of the source.