Turkiye believes that continuing the process conducted through the Istanbul talks on the Russia-Ukraine war would be highly beneficial, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday.

Axar.az reports, citing Anadolu Agency, that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a joint press conference in Kyiv with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, that Turkiye is exploring new strategic approaches to break the current deadlock in the conflict, and that new ideas are being discussed with the parties and mediators.

Fidan stressed the importance of continuing such meetings without interruption, saying: “The fact that the war is continuing does not mean negotiations in this format cannot continue.”

‘We do not want the war to be carried into the Black Sea’

Fidan said the risk of the conflict spreading, which Turkiye has warned about since the beginning of the war, remains a serious threat.

He noted tensions have continued to escalate in various ways and that developments threatening the security of the Black Sea have further heightened these concerns.

“We do not want the war to be carried into the Black Sea,” he said. “The targeting of ports, tankers and fishing boats in Black Sea and putting civilians' lives at risk cannot be justified.”

‘Türkiye has agreed to lead the maritime component’

Fidan said one of the key pillars of any potential peace agreement would be security guarantees for Ukraine, covering land, sea and air components.

Regarding Turkiye's role, Fidan said: "Turkiye has agreed to lead the maritime component, and we have a common understanding on this with our allies. Planning efforts on this issue are also being carried out by the naval forces of the relevant allied countries."