Putin, Erdogan discuss reviving Black Sea deal as Moscow eyes ‘transitional administration’ in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussed the potential revival of a 2022 agreement to secure the passage of Ukrainian cargo ships in the Black Sea and addressing Western sanctions on Moscow, the Kremlin announced on Friday.

During their talks, the two leaders exchanged views on reinstating the Black Sea initiative, which was originally designed to facilitate safe navigation while also tackling barriers to Russia’s exports of food and fertilizers, according to the Kremlin’s statement.

Erdogan, emphasizing the importance of Turkish-Russian cooperation, conveyed to Putin that collaboration between their nations is vital for resolving regional conflicts, according to his office. Their discussion covered both the war in Ukraine and the situation in Syria.

The Turkish president also addressed Black Sea security, assuring Putin that Ankara would take measures to safeguard commercial navigation, which he said would support broader peace efforts.

Moscow confirmed that the talks included deliberations on reviving the Black Sea initiative, which Turkey and the UN had brokered in 2022 to ensure Ukraine’s agricultural exports could move safely through the region.

Russia withdrew from the agreement in 2023, citing unfulfilled Western commitments to easing sanctions that, according to Moscow, hampered its own agricultural and fertilizer exports.

The conversation between Putin and Erdogan came a day after European nations agreed to intensify sanctions on Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Washington was separately engaged in its own diplomatic efforts through direct talks with Moscow.

“Turkey is closely following the process initiated to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and is ready to provide all kinds of support, including hosting peace negotiations,” Erdogan told Putin.

NATO member Turkey has sought to maintain good relations with both of its Black Sea neighbours since the Russian invasion and has twice hosted talks aimed at ending the war.

Erdogan also said it was “important for Turkey and Russia to work together to ensure that Syria achieves lasting peace and stability”.

Russia was a key backer of Syria’s recently deposed strongman Bashar al-Assad, offering him military backing during the civil war, while Turkey threw its support behind the rebels opposing him.

Russia has sought to build bridges with the new administration in Damascus, in particular to secure the fate of its military bases in the country.

‘Finish them off’

Putin called for a “transitional administration” to be put in place in Ukraine and vowed his army would “finish off” Ukrainian troops, in hardline remarks as US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire.

A rapprochement between Washington and Moscow since Trump’s return to office and the US leader’s threats to stop supporting Kyiv have bolstered Putin’s confidence more than three years into an offensive that has killed tens of thousands on both sides.

Ukraine fears it could be forced to accept a final peace deal on terms that are favourable to Moscow if it loses the support of its most important backer.

The renewed call to essentially topple Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky was the latest demonstration of Putin’s long-standing desire to install a more Moscow-friendly regime in Kyiv.

“We could, of course, discuss with the United States, even with European countries, and of course with our partners and friends, under the auspices of the UN, the possibility of establishing a transitional administration in Ukraine,” Putin said on the sidelines of an Arctic forum.

“What for? To organise a democratic presidential election that would result in the coming to power of a competent government that would have the confidence of the people, and then begin negotiations with these authorities on a peace agreement and sign legitimate documents,” he said.

With inputs from agencies