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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has stated that achieving a just and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia is essential for ensuring long-term stability and security in the Black Sea region, UATV English reports.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova during a visit to Sofia, Fidan emphasized that ending the war remains a strategic priority for regional security.
“We believe it is vital for peace and stability in our region to seize every opportunity to achieve peace between Russia and Ukraine. Turkey will continue to actively support efforts by both sides in this regard. We hope that a lasting and just peace, grounded in international law, can be achieved as soon as possible,” Fidan said.
According to the Turkish foreign minister, security in the Black Sea was one of the central issues discussed during his talks with Bulgarian officials.
“The most important long-term guarantee of security in the Black Sea is the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war,” he stressed.
Fidan noted that Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania continue to cooperate closely within the framework of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group, an initiative aimed at improving maritime safety and ensuring secure navigation in regional waters.
The project has become increasingly important as the war has created significant risks for commercial shipping and maritime traffic throughout the Black Sea.
Turkey has consistently positioned itself as a mediator in efforts to end the conflict and maintain regional stability. Ankara has hosted multiple rounds of negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian representatives since the start of the full-scale invasion.
In May, Fidan reiterated that Turkey remains actively engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and advancing negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. He emphasized that Ankara supports a diplomatic resolution to the war and sees itself as a constructive mediator not only in the Black Sea region but also in broader international conflicts.
Turkey has repeatedly argued that a sustainable peace settlement based on international law is necessary to restore stability, strengthen regional security, and reduce the risks posed by the ongoing war to neighboring countries and global trade routes.
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