ANKARA (Reuters) – The United States has informed Turkey that two of its warships will pass through Turkish straits to be deployed in the Black Sea until May 4, Ankara said Friday, as Russia has gathered its forces on Ukraine’s eastern border.
Recently there has been violence between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine’s Donbass region. Germany has asked Russia to withdraw its troops, while Moscow has accused Kiev of provocations.
“15 days ago, we were informed through diplomatic channels that two US warships would be sailing to the Black Sea in accordance with the Montreux Convention. The ships will remain in the Black Sea until May 4, ”the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The 1936 Montreux Accord gives Turkey control of the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles strait, restricts access for warships at sea, and regulates foreign cargo ships.
Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Jonathan Spicer