Turkey hosts Black Sea security talks with Ukraine, France, UK

ISTANBUL — Turkey is hosting high-level military talks on Black Sea security on 15–16 April at the Turkish Naval Forces Headquarters in Ankara, described by officials as planning forum for a post-ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine.

According to an official statement by the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, the meeting includes military representatives from several countries, including Ukraine, France, the United Kingdom and Turkey. The discussions will focus on the naval dimensions of military planning to maintain a peaceful environment in the Black Sea following a possible truce.

Turkish officials have clarified that no Russian representatives are participating, and that this is not a direct negotiation between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking in Odesa, Ukraine, alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on April 15, described the talks as part of a growing coalition focused on ensuring maritime security in the region.

He added that the military representatives were discussing the presence of a military contingent in the Black Sea as part of security guarantees.

“This is a military meeting on Black Sea security, primarily involving a coalition of the willing and discussions on appropriate steps,” Zelenskyy said. “This is not about ending the war. This is about what happens after the ceasefire—security guarantees.”

Cem Devrim Yaylali is a Turkey correspondent for Defense News. He is a keen photographer of military ships and has a passion for writing about naval and defense issues. He was born in Paris, France, and resides in Istanbul, Turkey. He is married with one son.

伊斯坦布尔——土耳其将于4月15日至16日在安卡拉的土耳其海军总部举行黑海安全高级别军事会谈，官员们称此次会谈是为俄罗斯和乌克兰停火后达成协议而设立的规划论坛。

根据土耳其国防部的官方声明，此次会议汇集了来自乌克兰、法国、英国和土耳其等多个国家的军事代表。讨论将重点围绕可能的停火后如何通过海军层面的军事规划来维护黑海地区的和平环境展开。

土耳其官员澄清说，没有俄罗斯代表参加，这也不是俄罗斯和乌克兰之间的直接谈判。

4月15日，乌克兰总统弗拉基米尔·泽连斯基在乌克兰敖德萨与北约秘书长马克·吕特一同发表讲话，称此次会谈是旨在确保该地区海上安全的日益壮大的联盟的一部分。

他还补充说，军方代表正在讨论在黑海部署军事特遣队，作为安全保障的一部分。

泽连斯基说：“这是一次关于黑海安全的军事会议，主要由意愿联盟参与，讨论采取适当措施。这并非关乎结束战争，而是关乎停火之后会发生什么——安全保障。”

杰姆·德夫里姆·亚伊拉利是《防务新闻》驻土耳其记者。他热衷于拍摄军舰，并对海军和国防议题充满热情。他出生于法国巴黎，现居土耳其伊斯坦布尔。他已婚，育有一子。