Letting two Royal Navy ships through would violate the Montreux Convention, Ankara declares.

Two British minehunter ships destined for Ukraine cannot travel through Turkish waters, Ankara stressed Tuesday, citing an international pact.

U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps announced last month that Ukraine’s armed forces had struck a deal to procure the Sandown Class vessels from Britain’s Royal Navy as the war-torn country grapples with Russia’s continued blockade of the Black Sea.

But Turkey confirmed it had informed its NATO allies that the ships would not be allowed to travel through its waters.

  • deegeese@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    361·
    9 months ago

    Turkey has long prevented warships from transiting the Bosporus Strait in wartime.

    I wouldn’t want warships passing my capital city either.

    • meeeeetch@lemmy.worldEnglish
      13·
      9 months ago

      Ankara’s their capital, but you’re right to point out that this is nothing new.

      The policy also ensures that no additional Russian warships get into the Black Sea.