Türkiye summoned Russian and Ukrainian diplomats after attacks on tankers: Ankara demands to preserve the Black Sea as a “zone of peace”

Türkiye took diplomatic steps after attacks on Russian-linked tankers in Black Sea. Representatives were summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russia And Ukraineso that Ankara can convey its concern about the situation and the consequences of these incidents.

Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Parliament Fuat Oktay stressed that the expansion of hostilities, especially in relation to civil courtsposes a serious threat to the region. He noted that transferring attacks within exclusive economic zone of Turkey is absolutely unacceptable and affects the security of not only the country, but also all coastal states.

According to Oktay, such strikes create a risk for maritime shippingas well as for the life and property of crews of ships operating in the Black Sea. He stressed that the sea should remain “zone of peace”and not an arena for escalating the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Ankara, he said, intends to continue efforts to bring the parties to the negotiation process and achieve a ceasefire that would be acceptable to both countries. Türkiye maintains its role as a mediator in an effort to prevent the conflict from spreading further.

The incidents that sparked tension occurred in late November when two Gambian-flagged tankers – Kairos And Virat – were attacked in the Black Sea. A fire occurred on board Kairos, after which Turkish rescue services evacuated 25 crew members. There were 20 people on Virat.

Subsequently, one of the tankers carrying sunflower oil and en route to Georgia, was also attacked by a drone. According to CNN And ReutersUkrainian security sources confirmed that the attacks were carried out by Ukrainian naval drones.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia condemned these actions, calling them “terrorist acts” and an attempt to disrupt international initiatives to find paths to a stable world. President Vladimir Putin declared the need for a tough response, even to the point of proposing to “completely block Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea,” characterizing the attacks as piracy.

Turkey’s position also remains tough. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly emphasized that security threats in its economic zone will not be tolerated, and incidents of this kind undermine regional stability and violate international law.

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