Turkey Says Ukraine Backs Plan to Secure Black Sea Shipping and Energy

Overview

• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ukraine expressed support for Ankara’s proposals to protect Black Sea shipping and energy logistics during recent talks with Kyiv.
• The proposals call for a potential moratorium on military actions in critical navigation routes and around energy infrastructure to keep cargo and pipelines safer when full hostilities cannot be halted.
• Turkey says it is prepared to take part in maritime security arrangements after a peace agreement and is coordinating with international partners while exploring different participation options.
• Fidan did not name which countries proposed the plan or outline concrete enforcement measures, and Russia and other major stakeholders have not publicly agreed to the ideas.
• Ankara frames the effort on the precedent of the 2022 Istanbul talks and the Black Sea grain initiative, saying secure sea lanes matter for trade, Ukrainian grain exports and global food and energy prices.