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A Russian warship crosses the Bosphorus in early February
Photo: Emrah Gurel / dpa
Because of the war in Ukraine, Turkey has banned the passage of warships through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits.
Ankara had "warned neighboring countries not to send warships through the Black Sea," said Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Turkey had sharply condemned Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine last week.
At least four Russian ships are currently awaiting Turkey's decision to transit the Mediterranean.
In his statement, Cavusoglu referred to the 1936 Treaty of Montreux, which regulates the passage of ships through the natural waterways between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
"We apply the provisions of the Montreux Convention," emphasized Cavusoglu.
The treaty guarantees civilian ships free passage through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles in times of peace, while Turkey can restrict passage in times of war.
Turkey, Russia and Ukraine are countries bordering the Black Sea.
Russia opposes Russian military action
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan clearly sided with Kiev after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"We reject Russia's military action," Erdoğan said last week.
The invasion was a "heavy blow to peace and stability in the region."
NATO member Turkey has repeatedly emphasized its close ties with Ukraine in recent years.
Erdoğan sharply denounced the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, also because of the historical presence of ethnic Turkish Tatars on the peninsula.
Turkey drew Moscow's ire by selling combat drones to Ukraine.
At the same time, Erdoğan is said to have a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Despite different positions, including on the Syrian conflict, Ankara and Moscow have strengthened their trade and defense relations in recent years.
Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system caused dissatisfaction among NATO partners.
kim/AFP/Reuters