The Turkish government has presented a draft plan to end maritime attacks by Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea. This draft is designed to alleviate pressure on Turkey's shipping interests.
Details of Turkey's Plan
A Turkish diplomat announced to the media that Ankara has sent a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) for consideration to Moscow and Kyiv. Recent attacks indicate the rejection of this proposal by both parties.
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During the war, Russia has repeatedly attacked civilian vessels, except during a temporary ceasefire for Ukrainian grain-carrying ships that lasted from late 2022 to mid-2023. This ceasefire was unilaterally revoked by Russia. Ukraine's extensive attacks on civilian vessels associated with Russia began this year, related to Ukraine's new plans and its willingness to target industrial and commercial objectives.
Impacts on Turkish Shipping
Turkish shipping companies are active on trade routes between Russia and Ukraine, and Turkish ships and sailors have been affected by the increasing attacks from both sides. In early August, Ankara called for a halt to attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, but this proposal did not yield results amid ongoing conflicts.
The new Turkish draft offers both Russia and Ukraine proposals: the establishment of an expanded grain corridor, based on the initial maritime ceasefire structure in 2022. This new version provides safe passage from the western Black Sea and also includes a safety corridor for Russian shipping around the southern and eastern coasts.
New Proposals for Shipping Security
The Independent Turkish Agricultural Diplomatic Group (TTDG) has presented a broader proposal that goes beyond a navigation corridor. This proposal includes a ban on attacks on silos and grain terminals, which are primary targets of Russian long-range attacks, and guarantees safety for vessels carrying agricultural cargo using a ship registration and verification program.
This plan also includes a strong coordinating role for Turkey in the program and the provision of war risk insurance by the government for participating vessels.
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