Turkey submits Black Sea shipping security agreement draft to Ukraine and Russia
Turkey has submitted to Ukraine and Russia a draft memorandum calling for an end to attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, a Turkish diplomat told AFP. According to the diplomat, Ankara provided both sides with the document in an effort to find a solution to halt attacks on commercial shipping in the region.
The initiative envisages protecting civilian vessels along the most vulnerable section of their route. The Turkish diplomat said this includes a stretch of about 4–5 miles where ships enter international waters after leaving Ukraine’s territorial waters. According to him, this is the riskiest part of the route.
Turkey’s proposal is based on the mechanism of the Black Sea grain corridor, which in 2022, with the mediation of Turkey and the UN, provided safe passage for vessels carrying Ukrainian agricultural products through the Black Sea.
Russia withdrew from the agreement in 2023, after which Ukraine established an alternative maritime route along the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria.
Turkey’s renewed diplomatic initiative comes amid an increase in attacks in the Black Sea. According to data cited by AFP, at least 25 Turkish-owned civilian vessels have been attacked since late June.
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