Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that representatives from Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and Turkey are meeting in Turkey on April 15 and 16 to discuss security in the Black Sea region. The discussions aim to form a "coalition of the willing" and determine appropriate security measures. Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of these meetings in creating future security guarantees following a potential ceasefire, rather than ending the ongoing conflict.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking alongside Zelenskiy in Odesa, expressed optimism about Turkey’s role in facilitating cooperation, referencing Turkey’s prior successful mediation in 2022 concerning a grain deal and ceasefire. Zelenskiy also highlighted the potential deployment of a sea contingent and Turkey's significant role in ensuring maritime security in the region.

This meeting comes after a previous Turkish-mediated Black Sea security pact collapsed when Ukraine withdrew at the last minute. The earlier agreement aimed to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea but failed to materialize due to Ukraine's last-minute withdrawal.

The current discussions are seen as a critical step toward establishing a lasting security framework in the Black Sea, with Turkey playing a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation among the involved nations.