Türkiye summons Ukrainian and Russian diplomats over Black Sea tanker attacks
Illustrative photo: Ukrane struck tankers belonging to Russia's shadow fleet (Getty Images)
Ukrainian and Russian diplomats were summoned to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs following strikes on Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea, A Haber reports.
According to A Haber, Turkish authorities reiterated to representatives of Ukraine and Russia that Ankara does not welcome such confrontations in the Black Sea.
Fuat Oktay, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said that extending the war, especially to civilian shipping in the Black Sea, "raises serious concerns."
"Spreading hostilities into our country's exclusive economic zone is unacceptable. Such attacks are extremely dangerous for maritime traffic and the safety of life and property of all coastal countries. Necessary contacts with the relevant parties are ongoing. The Black Sea must remain a zone of peace for all coastal states," he added.
Oktay also said that Türkiye continues to make efforts to bring both warring sides to the negotiating table and achieve a ceasefire and peace acceptable to both countries.
Attacks on tankers
On November 29, RBC-Ukraine sources reported that Ukrainian Sea Baby naval drones struck two Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea, identified as the Kairo and Virat.
According to sources, the tankers were empty and en route to the port of Novorossiysk for loading. The vessels, which helped finance Russia's war against Ukraine, were disabled.
On December 2, it was reported that a Russian tanker, the Midvolga 2, was attacked in the Black Sea near Türkiye's coast.
