Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has formally proposed a moratorium on all military attacks within the Black Sea, citing the escalating risks to global maritime commerce. In an interview with the state-run Anadolu Agency, Fidan expressed concern that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has expanded beyond military targets to include civilian shipping vessels. According to Fidan, the nature of the strikes has shifted from targeting ports and warships to indiscriminately impacting commercial traffic, including ships flying the Turkish flag.

The proposal comes as Russia continues its campaign of strikes against Ukrainian port infrastructure and maritime assets. While Fidan emphasized the need for a pause in hostilities at sea to protect international shipping lanes, he did not provide specific details on how such a moratorium would be monitored or enforced. The call highlights Turkey's ongoing role as a mediator and its strategic interest in maintaining the security of the Black Sea, a critical corridor for regional trade. As of now, neither the Russian nor the Ukrainian government has issued a formal response to the Turkish proposal. The situation remains fluid, with commercial vessels continuing to navigate the region under heightened security concerns.