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Turkey and the United Nations are preparing to hold talks with Russia and Ukraine on ending military operations in the Black Sea and securing a ceasefire, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that, according to the report, a closed-door diplomatic meeting was held at the end of September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, with representatives from Turkey, the United States, European countries, India and Egypt taking part.
A new round of discussions is planned for early October. The Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue will serve as mediator.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club that Ukraine had begun striking Russian tankers and civilian vessels in the Black Sea. According to the Russian leader, nearly 40 Russian vessels were damaged in the first 10 days of June alone, prompting Russia to take countermeasures. Putin claimed that Ukraine’s actions had caused tensions in the Black Sea and said calls for a ceasefire should be considered in that context.
