Turkey will limit Russian warships from passing through the Black Sea, according to Ankara’s Foreign Minister Mebrut Chabsogur. He also asserted that Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine falls into the category of “war.”
“Is this a conflict or a war? We decided it. Article 19 of the Montreux Convention is very clear. This is a war,” Kabsogur said in an interview with CNN. The 1936 Montreux Convention allows Ankara to restrict the passage of the Navy through the Bosphorus and Dardaneres Straits connecting the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea.
After the ship has given diplomatic notice to Turkey, the weight of the ship, the weapons it can carry, and the ships are Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Georgia, and Bulgaria.
However, during the war, warships are only allowed to pass if they are not from a country classified as a combatant. If Turkey is part of a war or feels threatened, it can block the passage of all warships, whether from the Black Sea country or not. However, this country does not have the right to blockade private vessels, even under adverse circumstances.
“Now this dispute has turned into a war. In this case, this is how we apply Montreux to Russian or Ukrainian political parties. Article 19 provides an exception,” said Kabsoguru. “If a ship from a war-torn country returns to its port, an exception will occur. All Montreux regulations will be enforced transparently.”
This allows Russian warships to return to their bases. The minister warned countries abusing this tax exemption.
Ukraine had previously appealed to Turkey to prevent Russian ships from entering the Black Sea as Moscow launched an invasion of Ukraine’s south coast from this area. As of February 27, six Russian warships and submarines have passed through the Turkish Straits.
Turkey has good relations with both Russia and Ukraine. Ankara was cautious about acting strongly against Moscow as it relies on Russia for energy imports, tourism and trade. But Turkey wants the end of the war.
“On the fourth day of the Ukrainian War, we repeat the President [Recep Tayyip] “Prime Minister Erdogan’s call for an immediate stoppage of Russia’s attacks and the start of ceasefire negotiations,” said Turkish President Spokesman Ibrahim Karin on February 27. Twitter post.. “We will continue our efforts to help the Ukrainians and end the bloodshed in this unjust and illegal war.”
follow
Naveen Athrappully is a news reporter covering business and global events in The Epoch Times.