British minehunters blocked by 'Montreux': Article 19 cited!

The Telegraph, one of the UK's leading newspapers, wrote that Turkey's refusal to allow two British minehunter ships to pass through its waters on their way to the Black Sea for use by Ukraine is a significant setback for Ukraine. In the report titled "Turkey blocks Royal Navy minehunters from reaching Ukraine," it was stated that Ankara did not permit the ships' passage into the Black Sea in accordance with the Montreux Convention.

DONATED TO UKRAINE

According to the report compiled by Ekonomim; the article recalled that the ships were donated to Ukraine by the navy last month and noted that they would serve in clearing mines in the Black Sea as part of a cooperation established with Norway. The report, which underscores that the refusal to allow the passage of the ships—capable of mine-clearing operations via sonar technology—is a significant setback for Kyiv, also includes statements made by UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps on December 10. Regarding the donation of the ships to the Kyiv administration, Shapps had said, "These minehunters will deliver vital capability to Ukraine, which will help save lives at sea and open up vital export routes. This will also enable Ukraine to continue its grain exports in the Black Sea." The report also pointed out that Turkey maintains a delicate balance between Ukraine and Russia in the war, continuing to maintain good relations with both countries. It was also stated in the report that it was an expected situation that the Turkish Straits would not be opened to the ships while the UK Ministry of Defence was donating them to Ukraine.           

Turkey had announced that it would not allow the two ships in question to pass through its waters, stating that doing so would mean violating the Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits. Last month, the UK announced that it would transfer two Royal Navy minehunter ships to the Ukrainian Navy to help strengthen Ukraine's maritime operations in its war with Russia. In a statement made yesterday by the Presidential Communications Directorate, it was said, "The claim in some media outlets that 'permission has been granted for the minehunter ships donated by the United Kingdom to Ukraine to pass through the Turkish Straits to the Black Sea' is not true."        

Leading US media outlets Politico and the UK Defence Journal also covered the statement made by the Center for Combating Disinformation under the Communications Directorate regarding the status of the ships.

CITED ARTICLE 19 OF MONTREUX

In the statement made by the Presidential Communications Directorate, it was stated, "Turkey immediately defined Russia's special military operation against Ukraine as a 'war' and, in accordance with Article 19 of the Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits, closed the Straits to the warships of the warring parties (Russia and Ukraine)." 

The same statement included the assessment, "Turkey, which has been implementing the Montreux Convention impartially and meticulously since 1936, maintains its unwavering determination and principled stance throughout this war in order to prevent the escalation of tension in the Black Sea."

When Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Turkey invoked the 1936 Montreux Convention, effectively blocking the passage of military vessels belonging to the warring parties. The agreement exempts ships returning to their home bases. While the Russia-Ukraine war continues, Ankara maintains good relations with both Kyiv and Moscow.