The context of ceasefire negotiations and the Turkish perception of these attacks.
The context of ceasefire negotiations and the Turkish perception of these attacks.
By Onur Sinan Güzaltan
Ukraine has claimed responsibility for attacks on Russian tankers in Türkiye’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Black Sea.
Therefore, these attacks constitute an open violation of Türkiye’s sovereignty by Ukraine. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement on this matter and condemned these attacks.
Targets of attacks in the Black Sea
These attacks are driven by a strategy to expand and prolong the ongoing war in Ukraine. Another goal is to damage Turkish-Russian relations by creating instability in the Black Sea.
Furthermore, it is significant that these attacks happened while peace talks between Russia and the US were ongoing. The attacks occurred just before Trump’s special envoy Witkoff was to meet with Putin.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the attacks were aimed at sabotaging the talks between Russia and the US and also general peace process…
But it is not the first time, we already witness these kinds of provocations just before and after peace talks between Russia, US and Ukraine…
There are groups within the US administration, in Europe and within the Kyiv administration that want the war to continue… And it is not difficult to predict that the sabotage of these groups/political cliques will continue to increase.
Reviving or replacing the Ukraine grain deal…
Under these conditions, it is impossible to revive the Black Sea grain corridor. The forces that orchestrate and support these attacks are sabotaging all peace initiatives and mediation efforts.
Türkiye’s view on attacks in the Black Sea
For Türkiye, stability in the Black Sea is a matter of national security…
Türkiye strictly implements the Montreux Convention in this regard. If such attacks by Ukraine continue, Ankara is likely to reconsider its relationship with Kyiv. President Erdoğan, in his recent statement, condemned these attacks and warned the forces behind them.
Those who want the war to continue
Ukraine’s European allies are not bothered by these attacks. The British, French, and German administrations, in particular, are practically supporting such attacks against Russia. However, if the US administration is sincere about peace, it can be expected that they react against these attacks. Otherwise, it would appear that the US is also supporting these attacks to pressure Russia.
Is lasting peace possible?
The Kyiv administration is completely losing its credibility and trust with these attacks. The current corruption scandal in Kyiv also demonstrates a crisis of governance in Ukraine. Personally, I believe that peace is impossible without a change of government in Ukraine and a change of mentality in Europe.
A lasting peace seems impossible without a change of leadership in Ukraine and a change of mentality in Europe. After the nearly five-hour Putin-Witkoff meeting, it’s likely that groups in Kyiv and Europe that want the war to continue will launch new provocations.