Russia's warships cannot pass through Turkey's straits

Turkey has responded negatively to Russia's call for allowing the passage of four warships across its Black Sea waters.

On Monday, Ankara said it had closed its Bosphorus and Dardanele straits, according to a 1936 pact, allowing it to contain the passage of several Russian ships.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey had asked Russia not to send its ships before labelling Ukraine's invasion of a <x0 war>”, allowing it legally to contain crossings under the Montreal Convention.

“Russia has said four of its ships will pass the straits on 2728 February, three of which are not registered in the Black Sea bases. We told Russia not to send these vessels, and Russia said ships would not cross the”, Cavusoglu said.

No one should be offended by this, because the Montreux Convention is valid today, yesterday and tomorrow, so we will implement it” he added.

At least four Russian ships -- two destroyers, a frigate and an intelligence vessel -- were waiting for Turkey's decision to switch from the Mediterranean. Two of them, a frigate and a deserter, had sought to make the trip this week, reports Guardian, broadcast Klankosova.tv.

The United States expressed appreciation for Turkey's decision to close the straits. Ukraine's ambassador to Ankara said Kiev was grateful to Turkey for the exact implementation of the pact.