Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned that escalating hostilities between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea are posing serious threats to maritime security. In an interview with TRT World, he said both sides have targeted commercial vessels and that drones have entered Turkish airspace, directly affecting Ankara. Neighboring countries such as Romania and Bulgaria have also faced similar incidents, he noted.

Fidan explained that the current risks trace back to floating naval mines that once reached the strategic Bosporus Strait, threatening to halt shipping entirely. Turkey’s military is now coordinating closely with Romania and Bulgaria to manage navigation and security challenges. However, he emphasized that military measures alone cannot resolve the situation and called for an immediate cessation of aggression.

Fidan cautioned that if tensions persist, the instability could extend beyond the Black Sea into Europe. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan earlier reiterated that attacks on civilian and commercial vessels benefit no one and confirmed Turkey’s strict enforcement of the Montreux Convention to prevent further escalation.