Türkiye Warns
Ukraine War Could Spill into Black Sea, Pledges to Press Mediation Efforts

Ankara, 16 Jul
2026 (ONA) — Türkiye has warned that the Russia‑Ukraine war risks spreading
to the Black Sea, with serious economic consequences for the international
community, while reaffirming its readiness to support mediation efforts between
the two countries to achieve a lasting peace.

The war’s
impact has recently extended to targeting vessels in the Black Sea, with both
sides exchanging attacks, while their positions on ending the conflict remain
deeply divided.

Hakan Fidan, Foreign
Minister said during a visit to Kyiv today to support mediation efforts that
Ankara does not want to see the war in Ukraine extend further into the Black
Sea.

“There is
no justification for a war in Europe to continue for five years in the 21st
century. We need peace more than ever, and we will intensify our diplomatic
contacts with both countries to advance peace efforts,” he said.

Türkiye, along
with several other mediator countries, has hosted multiple rounds of talks
between Ukraine and Russia, though these negotiations have yielded little beyond
large‑scale prisoner exchanges.

—
Ends/Khalid