Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Saturday against turning the Black Sea into a “zone of confrontation” between Russia and Ukraine, following a series of strikes in recent weeks.

Speaking to journalists aboard his plane, Erdogan said: “The Black Sea should not be seen as a confrontation zone. This benefits neither Russia nor Ukraine. Everyone needs safe maritime passages in the Black Sea.”

Earlier, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said attacks on commercial vessels at the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk underscore Ankara’s concerns about the war spreading into the Black Sea.