Turkey makes aggressive announcements against Russia; prepares to corner Russian destroyers in Bosporus Strait

Istanbul: – Turkey that had refrained from taking a stand in the Ukraine-Russia war has made major changes to its policy. By blaming Russia for starting the war against Ukraine, Turkey announced to corner the Russian destroyers in the Black Sea sector. Besides, Ukraine had made such a demand with Turkey. Initially, Turkey had refused to accept the demand. But now, it has completely adopted an anti-Russia stand.

Last week, Russia started surrounding Ukraine. Russian navy reached the Black Sea and Azov Sea beyond that. After that, Ukraine appealed to Turkey that the Gulf of Bosporus should be closed to corner the Russian destroyers in the Black Sea. Ukraine also reminded that Turkey is a NATO member. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had said that blocking the Black Sea was not possible, citing Montreux Convention as the reason.

But a significant change was observed in the Turkish policies in two days. President Erdogan’s government has adopted an open stand against Russia. Turkey had refrained from referring to the Russia-Ukraine conflict as war or invasion. But on Sunday, Foreign Minister Cavusoglu accused Russia of declaring war against Ukraine.

While speaking to a US news channel, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that Russia has not launched only a few airstrikes but has officially declared a full-fledged war against Ukraine. Therefore, Turkey will implement the Montreux Convention.’ According to the Montreux Convention, Turkey has the right to close the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits during wartime if a threat is perceived to Turkish security. Turkey will precisely do this and corner the Russian destroyers and submarines in the Black Sea region. It will block the access of the Russian navy to the Black Sea from the Mediterranean Sea. It is claimed that Turkey and Ukraine will take the worst hit of this decision. It was because Ukraine had exported 95% of its legumes and pulses through the Bosporus Strait. Whereas the Turkish economy languishing at rock bottom depends on the trade and tourism in this sector.

Meanwhile, international analysts and media claimed that Turkey had taken this step to improve its relations with NATO. The Turkish economy has been in shambles for more than one year. At the same time, tension has been created between Turkey and NATO and the United States, with the purchase of the S-400 air defence system from Russia.

In this scenario, as per analysts, Turkey has taken this decision to appease the United States and cooperate with NATO. But international analysts have warned that Turkey has put its cooperation with Russia in jeopardy with this move.