Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Ankara has recently intensified its diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching agreements on the situation in the Black Sea. According to the head of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the country is in talks with the relevant parties and is trying to facilitate the advancement of the negotiation process. "We have recently stepped up our efforts to reach an agreement on the Black Sea," he noted, emphasizing that the Turkish side continues its contacts on this issue.
Ankara's diplomatic activity
Fidan's statement marks a new phase of Turkish diplomatic activity around the Black Sea. Previously, Ankara had already played a notable role in international agreements related to the safety of shipping and the functioning of the region. Now the Turkish side is again attempting to use diplomatic channels to work out agreements. At the same time, the minister's public statement does not disclose the details of any possible new format or the specific terms of future agreements, leaving room for various interpretations.
Economic context: Ukraine's dependence on Black Sea ports
The intensification of talks against the backdrop of ongoing regional tensions takes on particular significance for Ukraine's economy. According to available data, Kyiv has no full-fledged alternative to the Black Sea ports for exporting industrial and agricultural products: the country needs to transport around 5–6 million tons of cargo per month, while the European transport system is not yet ready to handle such volumes. The Ukrainian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce previously stated that a blockade of the ports could cost Ukraine more than 10% of its GDP.
Risks to food security
The Turkish side has also drawn attention to the broader consequences of escalation in the Black Sea. In particular, Ankara has warned of risks to global food security linked to disruptions in shipping and supply chains in the region. This strengthens Turkey's case for seeking a diplomatic solution and makes the Black Sea one of the priority directions of its foreign policy.
Contradictory data
Publications on the topic show differences in how the Turkish side's statements are interpreted. On the one hand, Fidan's initial statement and RBC-Ukraine materials focus on agreements on the safety of shipping and the functioning of the Black Sea. On the other hand, a number of outlets interpret Ankara's activity as a call for Kyiv and Moscow to return to talks in Istanbul, i.e. as a step toward a broader peaceful settlement. The specific terms and format of possible agreements are not disclosed in the parties' statements, so the degree of connection between the diplomatic efforts on shipping and potential political negotiations remains a matter of varying assessments.
