Turkey warns Russia and Ukraine about rising attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, asserting its legal rights for maritime safety.
Turkey has warned Russia and Ukraine about the increasing attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea involving unmanned maritime vehicles and missile strikes. National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler stated that Turkey reserves all legal rights in the face of attacks on Turkish-flagged vessels and those operated by Turkish companies.
Güler, who attended the Turkey-Bulgaria-Romania Defense Ministers and Chiefs of Staff Meeting held in Sofia, Bulgaria, on October 28, 2026, called on the parties to cease attacks to ensure the safety of commercial maritime transportation in the Black Sea.
Güler: Targeting commercial vessels is unacceptable
In statements made after the meeting, Minister Güler noted that numerous commercial vessels have been attacked since the beginning of the war in the Black Sea, and that drifting mines and unmanned aerial and maritime vehicles threaten navigational safety.
Güler emphasized that Turkey continues its contacts with both the Moscow and Kiev administrations, stressing that commercial maritime transportation should be kept out of conflicts.
Güler articulated Turkey's position with the following words:
“We reserve all our legal rights in the face of attacks on Turkish-flagged and Turkish-operated vessels, and we are closely monitoring developments.”
Minister Güler stated that attacks on commercial vessels that do not have military purposes and are navigating in international waters cannot be justified under any circumstances.
He brought up the recent attack off the coast of Bulgaria.
On the same day as the meeting in Sofia, the Liberia-flagged CONTSHIP JET container ship, operated by a Greek company and sailing in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, was attacked by three unmanned maritime vehicles.
The ship sustained heavy damage, but all 18 crew members were rescued.
Güler highlighted this incident, pointing out that the safety of commercial vessels in the Black Sea is becoming an increasingly serious issue.
The party responsible for the attack has not yet been definitively identified.
Joint decision from Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania
The defense ministers of the three countries issued a joint statement condemning the attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea.
The statement noted that the Black Sea holds strategic importance for the transportation of grain, fertilizers, and energy, and that disruptions in shipping traffic threaten global supply chains and food security.
Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania agreed to enhance information and intelligence sharing, develop early warning capabilities, and strengthen coordination among armed forces to bolster security in the Black Sea.
The three countries also stated that additional security measures could be taken in coordination with NATO if necessary.
Cooperation to counter the mine threat will be expanded
During the meeting, the activities of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group (MCM BLACK SEA), established by Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania, were also evaluated.
Minister Güler indicated that priority should be given not only to drifting mines but also to the protection of critical underwater infrastructure.
Güler expressed that Turkey has been meticulously implementing the Montreux Convention since the beginning of the war and stated that the existing regulations regarding the passage of warships through the Turkish Straits will continue.
Turkey awaits a response regarding the grain corridor initiative.
According to a report by Reuters, Ankara has submitted a proposal to Russia and Ukraine aimed at halting attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and ensuring the safe transportation of grain shipments.
It was reported that Turkey is awaiting responses from the parties regarding this initiative.
Minister Güler previously noted that the Black Sea Grain Initiative, implemented under Turkey's leadership, demonstrated that safe maritime corridors could be established even under conflict conditions.
It was decided that Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania would continue their consultations on security matters, with subsequent meetings to be held in Ankara and Bucharest.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
