Erdogan Condemns Ukrainian Strikes on Oil Tankers Near Turkish Coast
Jakarta - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has strongly criticized recent Ukrainian drone attacks targeting oil tankers in the Black Sea near Türkiye’s coast, characterizing the incidents as a risky escalation of the ongoing conflict with Russia. The attacks raise concerns about the safety of navigation, environmental risks, and potential threats too civilian life within Türkiye’s exclusive economic zone.
The incidents, occurring on november 28th and 29th, involved the vessels Virat and Kairos, both of which experienced explosions, according to the Turkish Ministry of Transportation. A Ukrainian security source claimed responsibility, stating the ships where illicitly transporting Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions imposed following the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. Erdogan’s rebuke arrives as Ukraine faces mounting military and political pressure, coinciding with intensified diplomatic efforts led by the United States to achieve a resolution to the conflict.
“We cannot accept this attack, which threatens the safety of navigation, the environment and life in our exclusive economic zone,” Erdogan stated, adding that “The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has clearly reached a stage that threatens the safety of navigation in the black Sea.”
Both the Kairos, flagged in Gambia, and the Virat are subject to western sanctions as part of a “shadow fleet” reportedly utilized by Russia to circumvent restrictions on its oil exports. Türkiye has maintained a neutral stance throughout the war, offering itself as a platform for negotiations between the two sides. The country also holds a strategically importent position controlling the Bosphorus Strait, a critical maritime route for both Ukrainian grain and Russian oil shipments to the Mediterranean.
Erdogan affirmed Türkiye’s commitment to monitoring the situation closely and contributing to efforts aimed at ending the conflict,stating,”We issued the necessary warnings to the parties concerned…and are ready to contribute at every opportunity.”