Turkey is doing its part to prevent the Black Sea from becoming a conflict zone, Erdogan says

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Erdogan said his country continues to contribute to preventing the Black Sea from becoming a conflict zone, the presidential administration said.

The call covered bilateral relations between Turkey and Russia, as well as regional and global issues.

Stressing the “key importance of Turkish-Russian cooperation in resolving regional issues,” President Erdogan said Turkey, closely following the process launched to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, is ready to provide any support, including peace talks, to ensure an “honorable and lasting peace.”

Erdogan noted that steps needed to ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea would contribute to the peace process. He added that Turkey continues to contribute to preventing the Black Sea from becoming a war zone.

USM previously reported that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry denied Moscow’s statements about returning to the Black Sea Grain Initiative and emphasized that the ceasefire does not apply to Russian warships.