Image source: topwar.ru
Turkey has ruled out the passage of warships of any countries, including NATO, through the Black Sea Straits into the Black Sea. According to the country's Defense Ministry, Ankara will firmly adhere to the Montreux Convention.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar ruled out the passage of warships of any countries into the Black Sea while the Russian special operation in Ukraine lasts. According to him, Turkey is firmly committed to the implementation of the Montreux Convention, so the straits are closed.
In addition, the Turkish minister drew attention to the appearance of drifting naval mines in the Black Sea and did not rule out that this was done with the intent to put pressure on Ankara in order to allow minesweepers and other NATO warships to enter the Black Sea, ostensibly to search for and destroy mines. However, Turkey will cope on its own, the investigation of where these mines came from is already underway.
Akar said.
Earlier, Turkey closed the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles for the passage of Russian and Ukrainian warships, while the ban does not apply to warships returning to their naval bases stationed in the Black Sea. Then the Turks completely closed the straits to any warships of non-Black Sea states, using the Montreux Convention.
