MOSCOW, April 16. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on reports about negotiations between Russia, Turkey and Ukraine on ensuring the safety of shipping in the Black Sea.

"We have quite a busy agenda with our Turkish partners, indeed, of issues related to the Black Sea, too. But I have nothing to say regarding this report," Peskov said, taking a question from a TASS reporter.

Reuters reported earlier, citing people familiar with the matter, that Turkey had negotiated for two months with Russia and Ukraine on a deal to ensure the safety of merchant vessels in the Black Sea, but that Kiev had backed out of the agreement at the last minute.