The Turkey Black Sea deal proposal aims to stop attacks on civilian ships as Ankara seeks a new arrangement with Russia and Ukraine.
A Turkish diplomat told AFP on Thursday that Turkey had shared a draft memorandum with both countries. The proposal would create a framework to protect civilian shipping in the Black Sea.
The move follows a rise in attacks on vessels operating in the region. Industry figures show that at least 25 Turkish-owned ships have come under attack since late June.
Turkey has repeatedly warned both sides about the growing risks to commercial shipping. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also said this week that attacks on civilian vessels were unacceptable.
Proposal Draws on Grain Corridor
The Turkish initiative takes inspiration from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Turkey and the United Nations helped broker that agreement in 2022. It allowed Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea while the war continued.
Russia later withdrew from the arrangement. Ukraine then developed another shipping route along the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria.
However, that route still creates a vulnerable section for ships.
The Turkish diplomat said vessels must leave Ukrainian territorial waters for a short stretch and travel through international waters. He described that section as the risky part of the journey.
Turkey’s latest proposal seeks to address that danger.
Civilian Shipping Faces Growing Risks
The Black Sea has become increasingly dangerous for commercial vessels during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Turkey has repeatedly raised concerns after Turkish-owned ships suffered attacks. In August, Ankara said drones struck the Turkish-owned vessels Yaşar and Nadezhda after they left Russia’s Novorossiysk port. Several crew members, including Turkish citizens, suffered injuries.
A Turkish-owned dry cargo vessel also came under attack near Ukraine’s Chornomorsk port in June. Two Turkish crew members suffered injuries, according to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry.
As a result, Ankara has urged Russia and Ukraine to take concrete steps to protect navigation.
Turkey Seeks a Limited Maritime Arrangement
Turkey has previously proposed separating maritime safety from the wider war.
Fidan said in July that Ankara and the United Nations had discussed commitments covering Black Sea navigation, energy security and grain exports. He said a limited moratorium could protect critical areas even while the broader conflict continued.
The latest draft appears to follow that approach.
Instead of resolving the entire Russia-Ukraine conflict, Turkey’s proposal focuses on civilian shipping and navigation.
That could allow commercial vessels to move through the Black Sea with fewer risks.
Russia and Ukraine Must Consider the Proposal
The proposal now depends on how Moscow and Kyiv respond.
Turkey maintains communication with both sides and has previously played a role in efforts to keep Black Sea trade moving.
However, attacks on vessels have continued despite diplomatic efforts.
Earlier this month, Turkey again warned that the spread of the war into the Black Sea was threatening maritime security and Turkish economic interests.
For now, Ankara’s draft memorandum offers another attempt to create a limited agreement around civilian shipping.
If Russia and Ukraine accept the mechanism, it could provide greater protection for commercial vessels and help restore confidence in Black Sea trade. However, no agreement has yet been announced.
