Turkey has declined the United Kingdom’s request to send two mine-hunter ships to Ukraine, citing a commitment to impartiality in line with international law. The UK had previously announced the transfer of two Royal Navy mine-hunter ships to Ukraine to bolster its Black Sea defences.
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stated that the ship transfer was part of a coordinated effort with Norway to enhance the capabilities of the Ukrainian Navy. The move aimed to support Ukraine’s maritime defences against Russia’s invasion and facilitate the transport of grain and steel shipments.
Turkey’s refusal is consistent with its policy to deny passage to military vessels associated with Moscow or Kyiv during the ongoing conflict. Ankara has communicated to its NATO allies that it is obligated under the 1936 Montreux Convention to prevent ships from either belligerent party from using the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits.
The Montreux Convention governs maritime traffic through the Turkish Straits to prevent an escalation of war, allows exceptions only for ships returning to their home bases in the Black Sea. In a statement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s office informed relevant allies that the UK’s mine-hunting ships would not be permitted through the Turkish Straits to the Black Sea as long as the conflict persists.
The statement also criticised any disinformation surrounding the UK mine-hunting ships, emphasising that the decision is rooted in adherence to international obligations and the avoidance of political or diplomatic controversies.