Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday that Turkey was warning people not to send warships to the Black Sea and other countries via the Phosphorus and Tortanelles. Turkey announced on Sunday that it would apply the terms of the Montreux Agreement, which restricts the movement of Russian ships in Turkish waters as a war rages in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday that Turkey was warning countries around the Black Sea and other seas not to operate warships via the Phosphorus and Tortanelles.
The Russian ship passes through Phosphorus. Photo taken on February 16thERDEM SAHIN / EPA / PAP
“We have implemented what the Montreux Convention stands for and we will do it now. To date, there is no demand to cross the strait,” state news agency Anatolia was quoted as saying by Cavusoglu.
Reuters reports that at least four Russian ships are awaiting the end of Turkey’s exit from the Mediterranean.
Russian ships are waiting for the end of Turkey
The Montreux Conference of 1936 allowed Turkey to restrict maritime traffic through its straits during wartime, but included a provision barring ships from returning to their registered base.
Turkey announced on Sunday Will use the clause of the Montreux AgreementAs a war was raging in Ukraine, it allowed Russian ships to restrict movement in Turkish waters. This document compels the state-parties to an agreement on the Black Sea. Sending small warships there will be announced 15 days in advance.
It is the only maritime access to the Black Sea within six countries. Besides Turkey, Russia and Ukraine, these are Bulgaria, Romania and Georgia.
Military capability of Russia and UkraineMaciej Zieliński / PAP
Main photo source: ERDEM SAHIN / EPA / PAP