Erdogan Says Attacks on Civilian Ships in Black Sea Are Unacceptable

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea are unacceptable, whatever their source. He spoke at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul on Oct. 31.

Erdogan did not name Russia or Ukraine. He urged “all parties” to act responsibly. Quotes follow Clash Report's translation of the Turkish text.

What Erdogan Said

The talks took place at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Office. Erdogan said the leaders discussed navigation safety in the Black Sea. He said Türkiye has worked to preserve security there, but fighting is now spilling into the sea.

“It is clear that attacks on civilian ships and steps that will increase escalation in the Black Sea will benefit no one,” Erdogan said. “Whoever they come from and whatever their justification, it is impossible for us to accept these attacks in any way.”

He said Türkiye will continue talks with the parties to re-establish navigation safety. He said he hopes to discuss the matter with Russia as well. An understanding, he added, would give momentum to efforts for lasting peace in Ukraine.

Zelensky Blames Russia

Zelensky said Russia has steadily worsened the Black Sea situation since 2014, per Milliyet's report. He said the two leaders discussed new ideas, including on maritime security.

Zelensky also said he and Erdogan agreed to work on the Black Sea grain corridor. Ukrainian outlet Ukrmedia reports this does not mean a new deal with Russia has been reached. Zelensky said Kyiv is preparing for trilateral talks with the US and Russia that could be held in Türkiye.

The Attacks Behind the Warning

Erdogan cited no specific incidents, but several recent strikes hit Turkish-owned ships. On Oct. 5, drones sank the Turkish-owned grain carrier Royad Mammadov in Romania's exclusive economic zone. Two crew members died.

Zelensky blamed Russia for that strike, while Romania named no suspect. The next day, drones hit two ships off Bulgaria. The Alfa Watan, reportedly Turkish-owned, sank, and its 10 crew are presumed dead, the BBC reports.

On Oct. 13, the HS Dignity sank in the same area with 10 crew missing. Bulgaria's defense minister said it assumes the drones were Russian. Russia's ambassador said Moscow had no information and suggested a third-party provocation.

The BBC also reports that Ukraine hit an oil tanker off Sochi on Oct. 6. Moscow says it targets ships carrying weapons and dual-use cargo to Ukrainian ports.

On Oct. 28, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler warned both sides in Sofia that Ankara reserves legal rights over attacks on Turkish-linked ships. The same day, the Liberian-flagged Contship Jet was hit by drones in Bulgaria's zone. It was not clear who attacked it.

The Financial Times, citing Ambrey and IMO data, reports more than 570 vessels hit in the Black Sea this year. At least 40 seafarers have been killed.

Ankara's Mediation Push

Türkiye is awaiting replies from Moscow and Kyiv to its proposal to stop attacks and secure grain shipments, Reuters reports. In late September, Erdogan told Zelensky that attacks by both sides were inexplicable. Clash Report previewed the Istanbul visit on Oct. 30.

No immediate response from Moscow to Erdogan's remarks had been reported by late Saturday. Russia has rejected Western calls for a Black Sea ceasefire, the BBC says. Clash Report has covered a deadly Russian strike on a Turkish vessel in June.