Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan proposed a “limited ceasefire” focused on the attacks targeting ports and energy facilities amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, during in-person discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.

While attending a summit in Turkmenistan, Erdoğan conveyed to Putin the importance of efforts aimed at resolving the conflict, suggesting that “a limited ceasefire specifically addressing energy infrastructures and ports could prove advantageous,” as reported by his office.

His comments followed a series of strikes on tankers linked to Russia in the Black Sea, which included drone attacks attributed to Kyiv.

These incidents drew significant condemnation from Ankara, prompting the summoning of ambassadors from both Russia and Ukraine, with officials cautioning that the attacks represented a “concerning escalation.”

During a press conference in Kyiv on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that Turkey was developing plans for a ceasefire that would directly relate to energy infrastructure and maritime shipping.

“President Erdoğan shared this with me. I expressed our support for it. He aimed to arrange a relevant meeting — first at the team level and then at the leaders’ level. I indicated that we are prepared,” he stated.

He also noted, “Currently, the United States believes we are nearing a consensus.”

According to Zelensky, “From what I gather, the Russians have simply indicated that they will not accept any [temporary] ceasefire unless a comprehensive agreement is established,” referring to a complete peace treaty.

Turkey, which has endeavored to maintain its diplomatic ties with both Moscow and Kyiv throughout the war, controls the Bosphorus Strait, an essential route for the export of Ukrainian grain and Russian oil to the Mediterranean.

In November, Erdoğan asserted that a ceasefire agreement focused on energy and port infrastructure could serve as a foundational step towards negotiations for an extensive peace settlement during a virtual meeting with Ukraine’s allies.