Ukrainian Ambassador Naryman Dzhelialov said that they, too, were saddened by the deaths of civilians as a result of civilian cargo ships being struck in the Black Sea, but that it should also be understood that a war is currently under way in the region. Dzhelialov also commented on the civilian vessels struck by Ukrainian
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s June 16–17 visit to Moscow was significant in several respects. Fidan not only met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He also conveyed a message from President Tayyip Erdoğan to Russian President Vladimir Putin, briefed the Russian side on the U.S.-Iran understanding and Türkiye’s role in it, and held talks with
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan announced that the Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed by Russia and Ukraine under the auspices of the United Nations and with the facilitation of Türkiye, would be extended for 120 days as of November 19. After Ukraine’s President, Vladimir Zelenski, said that his country had come to an agreement with the
The Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) established after Russia and Ukraine agreed to the Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by Türkiye and United Nations auspices was officially inaugurated in Istanbul on July 27. “The JCC will facilitate the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative to establish a humanitarian maritime corridor to allow ships to export