Tuesday, January 2, 2024 12:30:00 PM
Turkey will not allow the mine-sweeping vessels, which the UK has handed over to Ukraine, to pass through its straits, reported the Turkish Center for Combatting Disinformation.
“The claims by some media outlets that the mine-sweeping vessels, gifted to Ukraine by the UK, were permitted to pass through the Turkish straits into the Black Sea do not correspond to reality,” the statement reads.
It is noted that Turkey immediately classified 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 for military vessels of the warring parties (Russia and Ukraine).
“Turkey, which impartially and diligently adheres to the Montreux Convention since 1936, maintains its firm resolve and principled stance throughout this war to prevent the escalation of tension in the Black Sea,” the Center writes.
The Turkish officials added that Turkey’s allies were properly informed that the mine-sweeping vessels gifted to Ukraine by the United Kingdom would not be able to pass through the Turkish straits to the Black Sea while the war is ongoing.
(C)UAWIRE 2024
Turkey, just like Hungary, should have its membership with NATO revoked as soon as possible. It already committed numerous acts that are in contrast to the alliance’s interests, including buying S-400s from mafia land, ignoring some sanctions and even allowing the circumvention of other sanctions.
Hmm, I think Turkey has been rather friendly to Ukraine, resisting the pressure and probably a lot of bribes to let Russian vessels pass.
Without Turkey, the Black Sea would have been a Russian lake.
And be fair, Ukraine cannot really protect its vessels in the Black Sea, so the mine sweepers may have become submarines if they were let through.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Ukraine and the UK didn’t even ask for the vessels to be allowed in, but rather the media concluded that handing over this mine sweepers would mean they would be sent to Ukrainian ports.
Ukraine lost all or almost all vessels in the Black Sea, there is no way they can protect these mine sweepers from drones and cruise missiles for the next years to come.
^bert
That’s all pure speculation, Bert. Fact is that Ukraine’s done pretty well at keeping mafia ships away from the coastline where the sweepers would be used. And without getting near one it’s impossible to hit, being so small and a moving target.
Turkey has done well here and there but also has done a lot of bad things. It’s an unreliable partner, to say the least.
I’ve wondered if it might be possible for them to navigate Germany’s fivers and canals and the Danube.
Me, too. I had checked the draft of the Rhine/Main/Danube Canal, it should be possible. The minehunters probably build too tall for that, though. River barges may have a maximum height of 6 meters.
So, the UK should take back the mine-sweepers, send the UK ships through the Straits, and then gift them to Ukraine again. 🙂
I thought the Turks had banned all military ships from passing through some time ago?
Not all military ships. The above article says, “in accordance with Article 19 of the Montreux Convention regarding the regime of the Straits, closed the straits for military vessels of the warring parties (Russia and Ukraine).” So, based on that my idea would work. However, I read elsewhere that regarding the current war against Ukraine, this blockage also applies to NATO powers. So it would only work if it were a non-NATO nation that sent the minesweepers.
Thanks Larry!
Then Sweden should act quickly!
Kahretsin! Gemilerimizden biri battı!
Ви хочете позичити Сапер?