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Turkey’s decision to block some Russian warships from crossing its waters into the Black Sea at a time when the Ukraine crisis has reached its climax has angered Russia.
Although such a move could help repair its relations with NATO, Ankara now risks retaliating against Moscow. The gathering of Russian warships waiting for the green light to pass will turn into a test of Ankara’s determination in the coming days and will show how far it is ready to go in tilting its unique diplomatic balance between the east and west.
Turkey changed its rhetoric and on Sunday called the Russian attack on Ukraine a “war.” Such an move allows it to use parts of an international pact to restrict the transit of some Russian warships from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. This could hamper Moscow’s ability to attack Ukraine’s shores in the Black Sea.
It all now depends on the interpretation of the 1936 Montreux Convention. This pact allows Turkey to restrict maritime transit in the Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits in time of war but there is also a clause that excludes ships returning to their registered base. At least four Russian ships are awaiting Turkey’s decision to cross the Mediterranean there, says geopolitical analyst Yoruk Isik.
Two of them – a frigate and a destroyer – have officially requested to make the trip within this week, according to Isik and a senior Turkish official. Pretending to have their base in the Black Sea, atom und make the trip leaving Turkey a room to maneuver. The fact that the attack was called war was a big step, Isik tells Reuters.
“Ankara did not want to take this step and, with the language used, is giving Moscow one last chance to curb its aggression in Ukrainian cities“, He added.
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