Turkey to Lead Black Sea Security Mission Following Ukraine Peace Deal

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TURKEY

During the "Volunteers Coalition" summit held in Paris on January 6, Turkey's role as the lead nation for Black Sea security was formally confirmed should a peace agreement be reached between Ukraine and Russia. A mission spearheaded by the Turkish Naval Forces is expected to manage maritime safety, ensure freedom of navigation, and monitor ceasefire conditions in the region.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, representing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the summit, stated that as the NATO member with the largest fleet in the Black Sea, it is natural for Turkey to take responsibility for regional stability. "Significant progress has been made on this issue," Fidan added.

MoD: Leading the military planning

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MoD) reinforced this position on January 8, announcing that Turkey is actively leading military planning for maritime security. The Ministry emphasized that Turkey will continue to implement the Montreux Convention with strict impartiality and responsibility, as it has since the conflict began in 2022.

"Our country is leading military planning to maintain security and stability in the Black Sea and to ensure the safety of navigation following a potential ceasefire," the Ministry stated.

Structure of the Black Sea Mission

While the technical details are still being finalized, the mission is expected to include NATO allies Romania and Bulgaria. These nations are already collaborating under the "Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group" (MCM Black Sea) established in 2024. Ankara has designated the security of the Black Sea as a "strategic priority" and has warned all parties to avoid escalations that could destabilize the region further.

Caution over ground deployments

While France and the UK have pledged to send ground troops to Ukraine if a peace deal is signed, Ankara remains more cautious regarding a land-based "Peacekeeping Force." The MoD indicated that for Turkey to contribute ground troops, a definitive ceasefire must first be established, followed by a clearly defined mission mandate agreed upon by both Russia and Ukraine. Ankara’s current commitment remains primarily focused on the maritime security mission.

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