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Turkey has renewed its proposal for Ukraine and Russia to halt attacks in the Black Sea, warning for the first time that it reserves the right to take legal action if vessels linked to Turkey are targeted.
Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler made the statement, Reuters reports.
Turkey issues warning
Güler warned Russia and Ukraine against further attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, saying Ankara reserved the right to take legal action in response to such strikes. Reuters described the statement as Turkey’s most direct intervention in the issue to date.
Turkey has repeatedly urged both sides to stop attacks in the Black Sea, where commercial vessels flying the Turkish flag or owned by Turkish interests have also been targeted.
Ankara said it was awaiting responses to a proposal submitted to both Russia and Ukraine. The initiative aims to halt the escalation of attacks and ensure the safe transport of grain from the region.
“We are closely monitoring the intensified attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and call on the parties to act with common sense, in accordance with the principle of freedom of navigation on the high seas,” Güler said.
Güler also said Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria, which are conducting a Black Sea mine-clearance operation, had agreed on the importance of focusing on protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
Vessel attacked near Bulgaria
On Oct. 28, another commercial vessel was attacked by three drones within Bulgaria’s maritime jurisdiction, Güler said.
The identity of those responsible for the attack on the Greek-owned container ship sailing under the Liberian flag remains unclear, Reuters reported.
All 18 crew members aboard the CONTSHIP JET, which flies the Liberian flag, were rescued after the vessel was attacked by three drones in the Black Sea.
Earlier, on the morning of Oct. 23, a merchant vessel struck by a drone sank off the coast of Romania. There were 13 crew members on board.
