Turkey, NATO Discuss Black Sea Security After Attacks on Russia-Linked Ships

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday to address growing concerns over Black Sea security, following a series of attacks on Russia-linked vessels within Turkey’s exclusive economic zone.

Ankara — a NATO member that has maintained balanced relations with both Moscow and Kyiv throughout the Ukraine war — has strongly condemned the strikes on ships associated with Russia. The incidents have shaken regional stability, driven up insurance costs for Black Sea shipping, and pushed Turkish company Besiktas Shipping to suspend all Russia-related operations due to safety risks.

Ukraine has acknowledged launching a seaborne drone attack last week on two empty tankers en route to a Russian port. However, Kyiv denies involvement in another recent incident in which a Russian-flagged tanker carrying sunflower oil reported being targeted by a drone off the Turkish coast. Meanwhile, a Besiktas Shipping tanker operating near Senegal — also linked to Russian trade — suffered damage from external impacts, with no group claiming responsibility.

During the NATO meeting in Brussels, Fidan and Rutte discussed Black Sea security concerns and ongoing efforts to find a path toward ending the nearly four-year conflict, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source.

Turkey has repeatedly called the attacks on commercial vessels unacceptable and urged “all parties” — including Ukraine — to immediately stop such actions. Moscow’s response has been swift, with President Vladimir Putin threatening to cut off Ukraine’s sea access, escalate strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, and target tankers from countries assisting Kyiv.

Ayhan Zeytinoglu, head of Turkey’s Economic Development Foundation, warned at an Istanbul forum that strikes on merchant ships inside Turkey’s economic zone represent “a dangerous escalation of the war.”

In a separate development, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told French President Emmanuel Macron during a phone call that Turkey is working to revive ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, according to a statement from Erdogan’s office.

News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.