ANKARA: Turkey has announced that it will block the transit of two minehunter ships, donated to Ukraine by Britain, through its waters en route to the Black Sea. The decision is based on Turkey’s assertion that allowing the vessels to pass through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits would violate an international pact governing wartime passage of the straits.
Last month, Britain announced its intention to transfer two Royal Navy minehunter ships to the Ukrainian Navy, aiming to enhance Ukraine’s maritime capabilities in its conflict with Russia. However, NATO member Turkey has informed its allies that it will not permit the ships to use the Turkish Straits as long as the war in Ukraine continues, as indicated by the presidency’s communications directorate.
In accordance with the 1936 Montreux Convention, Turkey activated restrictions on the passage of military ships belonging to the warring parties when Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The decision to block the minehunter ships’ passage aligns with Turkey’s commitment to the provisions outlined in the international agreement.
