Türkiye says it will not let the Black Sea become a battlefield

As NATO looks to hold a summit in Washington DC that showcases unity, Türkiye remains determined to maintain a delicate balancing act between NATO membership, warmer ties with Russia and strategic partnership with Ukraine.

In an interview with Politico published on July 8, just ahead of the 75th NATO Summit in Washington DC, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler firmly rejected any notion that Ankara is an unreliable ally in the military alliance.

“Türkiye is so far the only country that has been able to bring the two warring sides together in high-level negotiations,” said Minister Guler.

Despite maintaining economic ties with Russia and evading Western sanctions, Ankara has supported Ukraine by providing drones and warships. As the country that controls the entrance to the Black Sea, Turkey will not allow the sea to become a battlefield.

“We will not allow the Black Sea to turn into a strategic battlefield,” Minister Guler said, stressing Ankara’s commitment to maintaining regional stability.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler. Photo: Hurriyet Daily News

Türkiye has repeatedly stated its compliance with the Montreux Convention signed in 1936. After Russia launched a “special military operation” in Ukraine, on the basis of Article 19 of the Montreux Convention, Türkiye began blocking warships of the parties to the conflict and non-regional countries from entering the straits (Bosporus and Dardanelles) to prevent escalation and increased tensions in the Black Sea.

Ankara also stressed that it pursues efforts to adhere to the principle of “regional responsibility” in the Black Sea to avoid upsetting the balance that has been established there.

The Montreux Convention was signed on July 20, 1936, and entered into force on November 9 of the same year, granting Turkey the function of supervising and controlling the passage of ships into and out of the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits. At the same time, the Convention regulated the passage of warships, while civilian ships of all countries retained the right to freely pass through the straits both in peacetime and in wartime.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Turkey has stepped in to mediate between the two sides, and together with the United Nations, has helped create a safe corridor for grain to be transported across the Black Sea to other parts of the world .

Unfortunately, this agreement, called the “Black Sea Grain Initiative,” collapsed last July, after a year in force. Since then, the Black Sea has been unsafe for cargo ships to pass through.

Minh Duc (According to TASS, TRT World)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/tho-nhi-ky-tuyen-bo-se-khong-de-bien-den-bien-thanh-chien-truong-204240710225811929.htm