Istanbul – Turkey will hold senior military negotiations on Black Sea security at Turkish Navy headquarters in Ankara from April 15 to 16, which officials describe as a planning forum for post-convening deals between Russia and Ukraine.
According to an official statement from the Turkish Ministry of Defense, the meeting included military representatives from several countries including Ukraine, France, the United Kingdom and Türkiye. Discussions will focus on the naval aspect of military planning to maintain a peaceful environment in the Black Sea after a possible truce.
Turkish officials clarified that there was no Russian representative to participate, and this was not a direct negotiation between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on April 15 in Odesa, Ukraine, describing the negotiations as part of a growing alliance that focuses on ensuring maritime security in the region.
He added that military representatives were discussing the existence of military contingents in the Black Sea as part of security assurance.
“This is a military conference on Black Sea security, which mainly involves willing coalitions and discusses the appropriate steps,” Zelenskyy said. “It’s not about ending the war. It’s about what happened after the ceasefire – security assurance.”
