Ankara, Aug. 9 (SANA) Türkiye has proposed a mechanism under which Russia and Ukraine would mutually halt attacks on ships in the Black Sea, warning that the conflict is increasingly threatening commercial shipping, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
In remarks published by Anadolu Agency on Sunday, Fidan said attacks in the Black Sea, previously focused on ports and military vessels, were increasingly affecting commercial shipping.
He warned that foreign-flagged vessels carrying Turkish crew members could also be exposed to attacks, adding that Ankara had drawn up measures to address the risks and submitted them to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Fidan said Türkiye had conveyed to Moscow a proposal for a mechanism to halt attacks on ships after Kyiv made a similar request, and was awaiting a response from Russia.
On prospects for ending the war, Fidan said continued fighting without concessions from either side risked further escalation, but added that mutual attrition could eventually push Moscow and Kyiv back to the negotiating table.
He also warned against the conflict expanding geographically or involving increasingly dangerous weapons, including nuclear arms, and called for international efforts to prevent further escalation.
Fidan said on July 16 that Türkiye opposed any further spread of the Russia-Ukraine war into the Black Sea and stressed the need to maintain security and stability in the region through dialogue and diplomacy.
Media reports have said Türkiye imposed restrictions on commercial vessels heading into the Black Sea amid an increase in attacks in the region.
N.J/ABD
