Ankara submitted a proposal to the governments of Russia and Ukraine seeking to eliminate strikes on civilian maritime traffic in the Black Sea. A Turkish diplomat stated the draft memorandum provides a framework for both nations to resolve the ongoing attacks on non-combatant ships.

Russia's Defence Ministry reported strikes on a ferry at Chornomorsk and a tanker at Izmail on September 15, claiming the vessels were supplying Ukraine's military. Türkiye shared the draft memorandum with both sides on September 17 to establish a truce for civilian shipping in the contested waterway.