Erdogan raises Black Sea safety in call with Putin
The two Presidents discussed regional issues and the safety of navigation on the Black Sea, Erdogan's office said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reached out to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on October 7 to discuss various matters, including Turkey's willingness to assist in direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and the critical importance of ensuring safe passage in the Black Sea, according to Erdogan's office. The conversation touched upon bilateral relations and global issues as well.
The Turkish leader also extended birthday wishes to Putin and conveyed congratulations on his party's victory in the recent Russian parliamentary elections, the Directorate of Communications reported.
The situation regarding the safety of shipping in the Black Sea has deteriorated in recent weeks. On October 6, drones reportedly targeted several merchant vessels, including two in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. One of these incidents resulted in a Russian drone strike on a civilian ship carrying rapeseed oil, killing at least one crew member and injuring seven others.
A separate drone attack on two merchant ships, the Alfa Watan and Able, off the Bulgarian coast on the same day caused damage and a fire, prompting a search-and-rescue operation. Additionally, a cargo ship off the Romanian coast was hit by a Russian drone strike on October 5, leading to the death of the ship's captain and injuries to at least 11 others.
The worsening security environment in the Black Sea has been a cause for concern. Russian forces have been responsible for attacks on civilian ships sailing under various flags, with at least five crew members killed and many more injured. The United Nations Security Council has condemned Russia's actions, with EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasizing solidarity with Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Despite the international condemnation, Russia has continued to target merchant vessels, highlighting the urgent need for international cooperation to address this crisis and protect the peace and livelihoods of those involved in maritime trade.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
