Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits

The US has begun making the necessary preparations to sail a warship into the Black Sea, a move that comes amid heightened tensions in the region following Russia's seizure of Ukrainian ships and detention of Ukrainian sailors.

''We have not received any information that the USA intends to sail more warships into the Black Sea in connection with the situation in Ukraine'', Bulgaria's Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense Krasimir Karakachanov announced, quoted by the Bulgarian National Radio. 

This has been stated by the Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Igor Voronchenko.

"In line with the Montreal Convention and its paragraph 19, we will seek the closure of the Bosphorus in Turkey in order to force the Russians to understand what constitutes a violation of international law," Voronchenko said, according to TASS.

Romania's new push for a stronger NATO involvement in Eastern Europe, this time by creating a permanent alliance fleet in the Black Sea in a move aimed to counter Russia's strong involvement in the region, was welcomed by analysts in the country.

You must have heard about the myths of Lausanne, the 1923 treaty that shaped modern Turkey.

Turkey is not involved in any plans to revise the Montreux Convention that regulates international access to the Bosphorus and the Dardenelles Straits, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tanju Bilgiç said on Dec. 8, refuting reports that the convention could be renewed amid ongoing tension between Ankara and Moscow.

A Russian warship passed through Istanbul's Bosphorus en route to the Mediterranean on the morning of Dec. 6. One soldier was seen in footage of the boat passing holding a ground-to-air missile, drawing an angry reaction from Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavu?o?lu.

As media report, Turkish authorities prevent Russian vessels passing through the Bosphorus Strait which constitutes a clear violation of international norms, resulting to dozens of Russian ships waiting for hours to get Turkey’s permission to pass.