Erdoğan Urges Putin for Strategic Limited Ceasefire Focused on Energy and Port Safety

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged for a «limited ceasefire» concerning attacks on ports and energy facilities amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, during in-person discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.

While attending a summit in Turkmenistan, Erdoğan emphasized to Putin the importance of efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. He remarked that «a limited ceasefire focusing specifically on energy facilities and ports could prove advantageous,» as reported by his office.

His comments followed a series of attacks on tankers linked to Russia in the Black Sea, including drone strikes claimed by Ukraine. These incidents prompted strong condemnation from Ankara, which summoned representatives from both Russia and Ukraine, warning that the attacks represented a «concerning escalation.»

During a press conference in Kyiv on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Turkey was developing plans for a ceasefire tied to energy infrastructure and shipping routes.

«President Erdoğan discussed this with me. I expressed our support. He sought to arrange a related meeting — first at the team level and subsequently among the leaders. I confirmed our readiness,» he noted.

«Currently, the United States believes we are nearing an agreement,» he added.

«As far as I understand, the Russians have communicated that they would not consent to any interim ceasefire unless a full peace agreement is reached,» he said, alluding to a comprehensive peace settlement.

Turkey, which has endeavored to preserve relationships with both Moscow and Kyiv throughout the conflict, oversees the Bosphorus Strait, a crucial route for exporting Ukrainian grain and Russian oil to the Mediterranean.

In November, Erdoğan indicated that a ceasefire involving energy and port infrastructure could serve as a potential foundation for negotiations leading to a broader peace agreement during an online meeting with Ukraine’s allies.