Turkey Denies Passage to UK Minehunters Bound for Ukraine

Turkey has blocked the passage of two British minehunter ships through its waters to Ukraine, citing the Montreux Convention, which allows Turkey to control the transit of warships through the Turkish Straits during wartime. The UK intended to send these ships to help clear sea mines in the Black Sea, a task critical for the safety of maritime routes and lives at sea. The decision raises questions about the delivery of similar Dutch vessels promised to Ukraine by 2025.