Turkey summons Ukrainian and Russian envoys after Black Sea escalation

09:20

By: Sahili Aya

Turkey summons Ukrainian and Russian envoys after Black Sea escalation

Turkey has summoned both the Ukrainian ambassador and Russia’s acting chargé d’affaires to express concern over a recent rise in attacks on vessels linked to Russia within Turkey’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Black Sea. The move reflects Ankara’s growing alarm over the expanding scope of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has increasingly spilled into sensitive maritime areas.

Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci told members of Turkey’s parliamentary foreign affairs commission that the region had witnessed a “serious escalation” in recent weeks, with both sides launching retaliatory strikes. She noted that several of the latest incidents occurred in waters where Turkey exercises economic rights, heightening Ankara’s sensitivity to potential threats to maritime stability and commercial navigation.

According to Ekinci, the foreign ministry called in both diplomats on consecutive days to deliver formal warnings and underscore Turkey’s expectation that all parties avoid actions that could compromise security in the Black Sea. Ankara has maintained a delicate diplomatic balance since the start of the war, positioning itself as a mediator while also safeguarding its own strategic interests.

Turkey has played a central role in regional maritime diplomacy, including past efforts to facilitate grain exports from Ukrainian ports under internationally brokered agreements. The recent attacks, however, signal growing risks in an already fragile corridor, raising fears that the conflict may further endanger commercial routes and regional security.