Moscow Appreciates Ankara's Stance, Says Russian Ambassador

Moscow appreciates Ankara's position regarding the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits in favor of maintaining the Montreux Convention. This was stated by Alexey Erkhov, the Russian ambassador to Turkey, in an interview with a Turkish television channel.

“We are in constant communication with our Turkish partners on this issue. For now, that's all, but I am confident that together we can arrive at a situation where the interests and aspirations of all will be preserved and realized,” the diplomat emphasized.

Earlier, Ankara officially informed Russia and Ukraine that it would implement Article 19 of the Montreux Convention regarding the passage of military vessels through the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu also stated that Ankara has warned all coastal and non-coastal countries that it will restrict the passage of military vessels through the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits. An exception will be made for the Black Sea fleet ships of coastal states.