Turkey proposed to Russia and Ukraine to separate vessels in the Black Sea
Turkey proposed to Russia and Ukraine to separate the routes of civilian vessels in the Black Sea to stop attacks on merchant ships. The corresponding draft memorandum was handed over to Moscow and Kyiv by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. So far, neither side has given a clear answer, writes the Turkish newspaper Milliyet.
According to Ankara's proposal, Ukrainian vessels should move towards the Bosphorus along the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria, and Russian vessels — along the shores of Georgia and Turkey. The document also provides for a refusal to strike vessels and the protection of civilian navigation — according to principles similar to those that operated within the framework of the grain deal.
Turkey handed over the project to the parties back in September. Shortly before this, Hakan Fidan called for a moratorium on attacks on ships. Ukraine has been using the route along Romania and Bulgaria since 2023, after Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal. The new proposal provides for the creation of southern and eastern corridors.
"We want to use the territorial waters of neighboring countries, including Turkey, as well as Georgia, if it agrees," explained the Turkish diplomat.
Consultations on the document are ongoing. Kyiv has certain reservations regarding dual-use cargo, such as iron ore.
According to calculations by the Turkish newspaper Milliyet, 70 vessels have been attacked in the Black Sea since the beginning of the year, 51 of which are linked to Turkey. In recent days alone, six ships were damaged, three of which belonged to Turkish owners. As a result of the attacks, 11 people died.
Off the coast of Romania, the Turkish bulk carrier Royad Mammadov sank after a drone strike. Its captain died.
Two more vessels were attacked in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. The country's Prime Minister, Rumen Radev, reported that the bulk carrier Alfa Watan, flying the flag of Togo and en route to the Romanian port of Sulina, sank approximately 112 kilometers from the city of Byala. All ten crew members died.
On October 6, the vessel Able, flying the flag of Palau and transporting grain, was attacked. All 18 crew members were rescued. Among them were 11 Turkish citizens and seven Indian citizens. Rumen Radev did not name those responsible for the attacks but stated that such actions in the Bulgarian economic zone are "absolutely unacceptable."
The grain deal, concluded with the mediation of Turkey and the UN, was in effect from July 2022 to July 2023. According to the Montreux Convention, Ankara does not have the right to close the straits to merchant vessels unless it is itself participating in a war, Milliyet reminds.
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