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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Tuesday warned that the spread of the Russia-Ukraine war into the Black Sea, threatening the lives of Turkish citizens and the operations of Turkish companies, "is not an acceptable situation."
He was speaking at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku.
Fidan said Türkiye has made major efforts since the start of the war to keep the Black Sea out of the fighting.
"The spread of the war into the Black Sea as well, threatening the lives of our citizens and the operations of our companies, is not an acceptable situation," he said.
The top Turkish diplomat said Türkiye had been successful in this goal until recently, thanks to its rigorous implementation of the Montreux Convention and its role in launching the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
"However, in recent months, growing attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea have seriously harmed the safety of life, property, navigation, and the environment in the region. Unfortunately, Turkish and Azerbaijani seafarers have also lost their lives in these attacks. I extend my condolences to Allah's mercy for our seafarers who lost their lives, and I offer my condolences and patience to their families. The spread of the war into the Black Sea as well, threatening the lives of our citizens and the operations of our companies, is not an acceptable situation," Fidan stated.
He said Türkiye has issued the necessary warnings to the parties on this matter and believes common ground could be found if the necessary political will is shown and both sides act in good faith.
Fidan noted that Türkiye has recently intensified its efforts to reach an agreement on this front and has undertaken the necessary initiatives to help bring the war to an end.
"As Türkiye, we will continue to make every effort for peace," Fidan said, invoking Erdogan's long-standing phrase that "even the worst peace is better than war itself." He said Türkiye's brotherhood with Azerbaijan would continue to contribute to the stability of the Turkic world, the South Caucasus, and a wider geography.
Fidan warned of the risk that the war could spread beyond Ukraine's borders.
"From time to time, there are statements not just about the Black Sea but about the possibility of the war spilling over into other European countries as well. Allah forbid, we don't even want to think about this, let alone say it out loud," he said.
"The geographic spread of the war is the last thing we want to see," Fidan added.
Asked about developments in the war, Fidan said Türkiye's position has remained consistent throughout, noting, "For four and a half years since the war began, even when we have sometimes stood alone within the European context, our position has always been the same. This is a war that should never have started, a war that should not spread, a war that should stop immediately."
The top Turkish diplomat noted that Ankara had taken various diplomatic initiatives to translate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's stated will into action on the ground, using its relations with both sides sincerely to contribute over the years to efforts such as the Grain Agreement and prisoner exchanges.
He said talks between Russia and Ukraine held in Istanbul had come very close to the signing of a peace agreement text but ultimately could not be finalized, adding that Türkiye had made repeated efforts, both publicly and behind closed doors, to bring the two sides together in Türkiye.
Turkish FM underscored that the continuation of the war in Ukraine is damaging not only the region but the global economy, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump had cited the Russia-Ukraine war as the source of rising diesel prices.
He said there had been calls for an understanding between the parties on not targeting energy infrastructure and for a moratorium to be declared, adding that the UN, the U.S., Türkiye and several other states were doing everything they could on this front.
Fidan said efforts prioritizing the Black Sea specifically are ongoing.
"We have discussions with the parties on this matter, we have proposals. We have responses from the parties. We are also working to bring these responses into alignment so that a shared understanding can be built," he said.
Fidan said the war had shifted over the past year from a war of attrition to a war of annihilation.
"There is no longer any place that is not targeted. Aside from the deliberate targeting of densely populated residential areas, all commercial spaces, infrastructure and superstructure sites are now being targeted. We are also seeing civilian casualties rise steadily. As a nation that knows war and knows how to fight, we, unfortunately, said from the very beginning where this picture was headed," he said.
Noting that the situation is likely to intensify in terms of geography, methods, and targets, Fidan said: "This needs to stop in order to prevent further spread and greater disaster. I believe that after four and a half years of war, the parties are now psychologically and cognitively closer to this point as well. It is precisely at this point that mediators like us need to find the right formulas, the right words, the right methods to persuade the parties to reach a settlement."
The Turkish official also warned that failing to do so would put energy prices, food security, and the environment at even greater risk and increase the danger of the war spreading further.
Turning to developments in neighboring Iran, Fidan said the security, stability and prosperity of Iran directly affects the region, including Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
"We want the current dispute to be resolved diplomatically as soon as possible. The recent increase in mutual attacks is seriously undermining peace efforts. These actions, which are increasing tension in the region, must end immediately. At the same time, secure, uninterrupted and free passage must be permitted in the Strait of Hormuz, and the prewar status quo must be restored as soon as possible," the Turkish FM stated.
"We are maintaining continuous contact with all relevant parties to resolve the crisis and establish peace and security in the region," he added.
Fidan's remarks came during a visit to Baku marking the 108th anniversary of the liberation of Baku by the Caucasian Army of Islam under the command of Nuri Pasha, during which he paid tribute to those who died for their homeland's independence.
The Turkish FM said he had been received by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, conveying Erdogan's warmest greetings, and that Türkiye and Azerbaijan had discussed a wide range of bilateral and regional matters, including energy, transportation and connectivity cooperation.
He highlighted the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway as the most important component of the Middle Corridor and said Türkiye and Azerbaijan continue to deepen defense and security cooperation through joint military exercises, training and growing collaboration between defense industry companies.
On the Kars-Igdir-Aralik-Dilucu railway line, a complementary element of the Zangezur Corridor, Fidan said construction is underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2029, adding, "Construction work is currently underway. Allah willing, the Kars-Dilucu railway will be completed toward the end of 2029. As a result, a train coming from Azerbaijan will be able to travel uninterrupted all the way to Türkiye. This will become an important logistical opportunity for us."
Fidan also welcomed recent progress toward a final peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, saying Türkiye views the completion of that process as the start of a new era of regional cooperation.
He said Türkiye would host the Organization of Turkic States' Council of Foreign Ministers on Oct. 29 and its 13th Summit on Oct. 30 in Ankara, calling it "a historic step that will reinforce the Turkic world's shared vision for the future."
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said Baku and Ankara are coordinating closely on new projects with major long-term potential, particularly in alternative energy, including plans to transmit green energy produced in Azerbaijan to Europe via the Black Sea with Turkish participation.
He said new energy cable projects, one linking Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye and Bulgaria, and another connecting Nakhchivan to Türkiye, are also under discussion.
Bayramov said Azerbaijan fully supports Türkiye's hosting of COP31 following Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency and confirmed Azerbaijan would send an active delegation to the summit.
On the Zangezur Corridor, he said road construction toward the Armenian border is about 95% complete and rail construction about 75% complete, with both projects expected to finish in the first half of 2027.
He said the roughly 190-kilometer rail line in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, dating to the Soviet era and largely unused for more than 30 years, is undergoing reconstruction, while talks between the US and Armenia continue over the roughly 42-kilometer stretch of the corridor that runs through Armenian territory.
Bayramov said completion of the corridor would create a new transport link stretching from Europe through Türkiye and Azerbaijan to Central Asia, and he said Azerbaijan and Türkiye are also exploring trilateral cooperation projects with African countries given Türkiye's extensive diplomatic and economic presence on the continent.
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