Published November 18,2025

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The Turkish Communication Directorate on Tuesday denied claims that Türkiye’s recent LNG agreement with the US will end Russian gas imports, leading to an imminent energy crisis.

“Türkiye is one of the strongest countries in its region in terms of security of (energy) supplies, with its pipeline, LNG, and storage infrastructure. There is no problem with the security of natural gas supplies or risk of an energy crisis today or for the coming winter,” the directorate’s Center for Countering Disinformation said in a statement debunking the claims.

The statement noted that Türkiye’s natural gas supply from Russia continues “uninterrupted and as planned” while the country’s procurement of pipeline gas and LNG from multiple sources, such as the US, Azerbaijan, Iran, Algeria, Oman, and Qatar, “is a technical preference aimed at diversifying supply security, increasing competition, and strengthening the flexibility of supplies.”

Published November 18,2025

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A fire aboard a Turkish-flagged LPG carrier docked at Odesa’s port, ignited during the Nov.16-17 assault on the port of Izmail, was extinguished, according to an update provided by Ukraine’s Ministry of Communities and Territories Development on Tuesday.

Officials are currently conducting inspections to assess structural damage to the vessel and its surroundings, the ministry said in a statement.

“At the same time, measures are taken in the port to eliminate the consequences of the shelling and fully resume the work of the infrastructure,” it said.

On Monday, Türkiye’s consul general in Odesa warned of the risk of an explosion on the vessel, noting that the crew had been evacuated and were well.

Telling about the incident in which the Turkish-flagged LPG vessel Orinda was struck while unloading at the Izmail Port, Muhittin Celik told Anadolu that all the crew members have been evacuated and are in good condition.

Celik said a UAV (drone) struck the ship in an attack shortly after midnight.

“The ship’s crew contacted the duty phone of our consulate general and reported the situation. Our consular staff coordinated with local authorities and ensured necessary consular protection, taking measures for the safety of the crew,” he said.

“The ship’s 16-member crew are in good health. Two-thirds of the LPG is still on board. Izmail firefighters are trying to cool the ship by spraying water. Security measures at the port have been increased due to the risk of explosion,” he added.

Celik added that a technical team from the company that owns the vessel is expected to arrive at the port.

“Based on the report of the team coming from Türkiye, it will be determined whether the ship can be refloated,” he added.

The Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Ministry’s Maritime Affairs Directorate General earlier announced that the vessel, carrying 16 Turkish crew members, was hit during unloading at Ukraine’s Izmail Port, and a fire broke out.

Published November 18,2025

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia will not participate in the negotiations that the Ukrainian side announced will be held in Türkiye on Wednesday.

“No, Russian representatives will not be in Türkiye tomorrow. So far, these contacts have been carried out without Russian participation. We will be waiting for information about what will be discussed in Istanbul,” Peskov told a press briefing in Moscow on Tuesday.

The official said Ukraine has yet to respond to Russia’s peace initiatives or signal its readiness to resume talks with Moscow.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Telegram that he would visit Türkiye to “intensify negotiations” on a settlement, saying he would present “worked-out solutions” and focus on war prisoner exchanges.

He did not specify his negotiation partners or the content of his messages. Media reports claim US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff plans to join the talks.

“Apparently, Zelenskyy was referring to the contacts that will take place tomorrow in Istanbul. These are Zelensky’s contacts with our Turkish friends, who will probably be joined by Mr. Witkoff,” Peskov said.

He reaffirmed Russia’s willingness to negotiate, saying Moscow’s position is “well known” to all parties involved.

“Russia continues to remain open to the negotiation process. Our position is well known; it is well known both in Istanbul and well known in Kyiv,” the Kremlin offficial said.

According to him, contacts with Witkoff or Turkish representatives are not on the agenda of Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, he is open to such discussions to hear the outcomes of the talks with Zelenskyy.

“If any of the people you mentioned deem it necessary to inform the Russian side, of course, President Putin will be open to conversation,” he affirmed.

Peskov added that Kyiv’s readiness to seek a resolution can only be assessed once Zelenskyy presents his specific proposals.

“So far, we can’t see anything in this step because we don’t know what it’s about. When we find out, we’ll be able to tell whether we’re seeing something or not,” he noted.

Turning to the potential delivery of French Rafale fighter jets to Ukraine, Peskov said it would not alter the military situation.

“No matter what aircraft are sold to the Kyiv regime, it will not be able to change the situation on the fronts,” he said.

The spokesman also criticized France’s ongoing military support for Ukraine.

“France continues to arm the Kyiv regime. France is doing it now, and it plans to do it tomorrow. Unfortunately, Paris does not contribute to the cause of peace in any way. Paris is still engaged in inciting military and pro-military sentiments,” he said.

On Monday, Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a memorandum of understanding on the deliveries of 100 Rafale fighter jets to Kyiv.

Published November 17,2025

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The World Bank has signed a €554.4 million ($642.6 million) financing agreement with Türkiye for the Istanbul Resilience Project, which was approved earlier this year, to strengthen the megacity’s disaster preparation and response capacity across the city, as well as to establish disaster-resistant and energy-efficient public buildings.

The project will be implemented by the Istanbul Governor’s Office’s coordination unit. The amount of external financing provided to Türkiye by global organizations has thus reached around $14.7 billion this year.

External funds provided for Istanbul’s disaster preparation, including the World Bank’s loan, totaled $1.9 billion.

The total amount financed for the reconstruction of the earthquake-stricken zone in the country’s southeast reached $7.5 billion.

Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek stated that the long-standing cooperation between Türkiye and the World Bank has resulted in significant progress.

“We have made significant progress in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and sustainable urbanism,” he said.

“Our strong support for public investments aimed at enhancing Istanbul’s preparedness against earthquakes, disaster management capacity, and urban resilience will continue in line with our Medium-Term Program,” he added.