Erdogan, Putin discuss Black Sea navigation safety over phone

A damaged Russian-flagged cargo ship is seen washed ashore at Alacali Beach in the Sile district of Istanbul, Türkiye, September 2, 2026. /VCG A damaged Russian-flagged cargo ship is seen washed ashore at Alacali Beach in the Sile district of Istanbul, Türkiye, September 2, 2026. /VCG Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed efforts to ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea during a phone call on Wednesday, according to a statement from Türkiye's Presidential Directorate of Communications.Erdogan underscored the need to safeguard navigation in the Black Sea, where security incidents have raised concerns over maritime traffic, the statement said.The Turkish leader also said Türkiye stands ready to help initiate direct contacts between Moscow and Kyiv, as it maintains dialogue with both Russia and Ukraine and has sought to facilitate diplomatic efforts related to the ongoing conflict.The latest call comes amid heightened attention to maritime security in the Black Sea following recent incidents involving Turkish-linked commercial vessels. Source(s): Xinhua News Agency