Fidan Warns Russia Over Black Sea Security Before NATO Ankara Summit

By Bosphorus News Geopolitics Desk

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow that Türkiye expects steps threatening Black Sea security and Turkish interests to be avoided, after recent attacks near Türkiye's northern coast pushed civilian shipping and energy infrastructure back into the war-risk zone.

The warning came as Ankara kept its Russia-Ukraine mediation channel open before the NATO Summit in Ankara on July 7-8. Fidan repeated Türkiye's readiness to host further talks, while Lavrov was quoted by TASS as saying Moscow appreciated Türkiye's assistance in seeking a peaceful settlement over Ukraine.

The exchange shows Ankara's balance: warning Moscow against risks in the Black Sea while preserving a working channel with Russia on Ukraine, regional diplomacy and energy security.

Bosphorus News has tracked how Black Sea security has become a direct file for Turkish security policy, with Ankara managing the Montreux regime, NATO expectations, Russian pressure and Ukrainian shipping needs in one maritime file. The latest Moscow message brings that burden back into the pre-summit calendar.

Fidan also carried the maritime-security language into the Gulf file, saying the Strait of Hormuz should remain open to the "safe, free and uninterrupted passage of all vessels," a line he linked to regional stability, global energy security and international trade.

The Black Sea warning and the Hormuz passage line place Türkiye's diplomacy on two maritime fronts before the NATO summit in Ankara. One is tied to the Russia-Ukraine war and the Montreux regime; the other to Gulf energy flows, tanker insurance and regional diplomacy after the U.S.-Iran framework.

Ankara is trying to keep its Russia channel open while bringing the Black Sea and Hormuz files into the NATO calendar.

Sources: Reuters, TRT Haber, TASS, Türkiye's Foreign Ministry, Bosphorus News review and reporting.