By Mumin Altas
ANKARA (AA) – Turkiye has warned all countries against warships going through the Turkish Straits since the Russia-Ukraine war started, the country’s foreign minister said on Monday.
"To date, there has been no request for passage through the straits,” Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters after a Cabinet meeting.
Cavusoglu added that Turkiye is implementing the Montreux Convention for the straits “to the fullest,” and will continue to do so.
The 1936 convention gives Turkiye the authority to ban warships from the straits during times of war, including now.
Since Russia's war on Ukraine began last Thursday, it has been met by outrage from the international community, with the EU, UK, and US implementing a range of economic sanctions on Russia.
In the war, more than 350 civilians have been killed and over 1,600 injured, according to Ukraine’s Health Ministry.
*Writing by Gozde Bayar