Turkey has decided not to allow the mine-searching ships, which Britain has gifted to Ukraine, through its straits.
This was reported by the communication directorate of the Center for Combating Disinformation of the Republic of Turkey.
"The claims by some media that the mine-searching ships, gifted to Ukraine by Great Britain, were allowed to pass through Turkish straits into the Black Sea do not correspond to reality," the statement said.
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 on the regime of the straits, closed the straits for military ships of the belligerent parties (Russia and Ukraine).
Turkey will not allow the mine-clearing vessels until the war in Ukraine is over.
"Turkey, impartially and diligently adhering to the Montreux Convention since 1936, maintains its unwavering determination and principled position throughout this war to prevent an escalation of tension in the Black Sea," the Center writes.
They added that their allies were duly informed that the mine-searching ships gifted to Ukraine by the United Kingdom would not be able to pass through Turkish straits into the Black Sea as long as the war continues.
