Phone Discussion Between Erdogan and Putin
On October 7, 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their conversation focused on ensuring maritime safety in the Black Sea, as well as on bilateral relations and broader regional and international issues. This dialogue came in the aftermath of two drone attacks targeting commercial ships in the Black Sea on October 5 and 6.
Drone Attacks on Commercial Ships
On October 6, within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, two cargo ships—ALFA WATAN, flying the flag of Togo, and ABLE, registered to Palau—were struck by drones. The day before, near Romania's coast, a vessel carrying Ukrainian grain to Italy was attacked, resulting in at least one fatality. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of carrying out the assaults on ships in Bulgarian waters. Following these incidents, Ukraine's naval forces established contact with their Bulgarian counterparts.
The European Union condemned these attacks as unacceptable and plans to share satellite images of the affected maritime zones with Romania and Bulgaria upon request. During their talk, Erdogan stressed the critical need for securing navigation in the Black Sea and expressed Turkey's readiness to facilitate direct communication channels between Russia and Ukraine.
These developments highlight the rising tensions in the Black Sea region, where the safety of commercial shipping has become an urgent concern. Attacks on merchant vessels pose serious risks to the regional economy and security, alarming the nations bordering this strategic waterway. Turkey’s position as an intermediary could prove pivotal in calming the situation and preventing further escalation.
As tensions continue to escalate in the Black Sea, Turkey's role as a mediator is becoming increasingly significant. In light of the recent drone attacks, Ankara has proposed a comprehensive plan aimed at de-escalating the situation and fostering dialogue between Ukraine and Russia. For more details on this initiative and its potential impact on the ongoing crisis, read our article on Turkey's peace proposal.