Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that representatives from Ukraine, the UK, France, and Turkey will convene in Turkey to discuss Black Sea security.
The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, aims to strengthen security guarantees in the region, with Turkey potentially playing a significant role in future maritime security arrangements.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed optimism about Turkey’s efforts to bring together relevant parties, citing the country’s successful facilitation of a grain deal ceasefire in 2022.
Zelensky emphasized that the talks focus on post-ceasefire security guarantees, rather than ending the war, highlighting the importance of a coordinated approach to regional security.
These talks build upon existing collaborations, including Ukraine and Turkey’s strategic partnership, which involves joint production of Bayraktar drones and cooperation on large infrastructure projects.
Turkey’s strategic position and control over the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits make it a key player in Black Sea security, with potential scenarios for its strategic alignment including pro-Western alignment, pro-Russia tilt, regional leadership, or balanced neutrality.