Two British minehunter ships destined for Ukraine cannot travel through Turkish waters, Ankara stressed Tuesday, citing an international pact.
U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps announced last month that Ukraine’s armed forces had struck a deal to procure the Sandown Class vessels from Britain’s Royal Navy as the war-torn country grapples with Russia’s continued blockade of the Black Sea.
But Turkey confirmed it had informed its NATO allies that the ships would not be allowed to travel through its waters.
Turkey has long prevented warships from transiting the Bosporus Strait in wartime.
I wouldn’t want warships passing my capital city either.
They’re minesweepers. That’s like an unwarship.
I’m sure Russia considers it a military target and would have no compunction about targeting it with cruise missiles at it passes through a city with 15 million people.
Are you saying the Russians would target a boat filled with Brits in Turkey’s waters? Because that sounds like an Article 5 moment. Hell, even if Ukraine takes control of the boats in England, attacking them in Turkish waters is a terrible idea.
Turkey is not obligated to invite an attack by Russia, even if it would be suicidal.
This is just Turkey continuing a decades-old policy.
The “why do you make me hit you?” of war justifications.
That would be Russia’s fault, not the UK’s or Ukraine’s - and there is no end to the road of attempting Russian appeasement.
Ankara’s their capital, but you’re right to point out that this is nothing new.
The policy also ensures that no additional Russian warships get into the Black Sea.