Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on August 8 called on Russia and Ukraine to establish a mechanism that would allow for a moratorium on attacks against vessels in the Black Sea.
Fidan said the growing number of attacks affecting commercial shipping made it necessary to develop rules that would reduce risks to civilian vessels. Ankara had discussed the idea with both parties to the conflict.
The proposal did not amount to a full ceasefire in the Black Sea. It was focused primarily on restricting attacks against commercial shipping.
Turkey controls passage through the Bosporus and Dardanelles and has maintained contacts with both Kyiv and Moscow throughout the war.