Representatives from Ukraine, Türkiye, the U.K., and France are holding a meeting on Black Sea security in Türkiye on Tuesday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
"This is a military meeting on security in the Black Sea, first of all, a coalition of the willing, appropriate steps," Zelenskyy said in Odesa, speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Zelenskyy said meetings would take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was not immediately clear whether meetings were already ongoing
"There are already quite a few such meetings, in various formats," Zelenskyy added.
"Turkey has in 2022 already successfully agreed a cease-fire when it came to a greater grain deal... let's be positive on the fact that Turkey, again, tries to bring together all relevant parties, And let's hope they are successful," Rutte said.
"We are talking about the presence of a contingent at sea, and we believe that Turkey can have a serious place in future security guarantees for the sea," Zelenskyy said.
"This is not about ending the war, this is about what will happen after the cease-fire - security guarantees."
Turkish officials have repeatedly said Ankara would support both the cease-fire as well as comprehensive peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
Türkiye’s Bayraktar TB2 drones played a critical role in Ukraine’s early defense against Russian forces. Ankara has facilitated grain export agreements between Kyiv and Moscow, ensuring that global food supply chains remain intact. Moreover, Türkiye has been central to prisoner exchange negotiations, demonstrating its unique ability to maintain dialogue with both sides.
Meanwhile, NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump's push for a cease-fire and lasting peace in Ukraine was "not easy" and condemned Russia's "terrible pattern" of attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
Rutte's comments contrast with an assessment from Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who said he sees a peace deal "emerging" after talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Russia.
