Russia emphasizes the importance of the Montreux Convention amid NATO discussions and ongoing technical cooperation with Turkey on commercial transits.
The Russian Embassy in Ankara made a striking statement regarding the Turkish Straits and the Montreux Convention on April 1, 2026.
The planned establishment of a NATO Naval Component Command in Anadolu Kavagi, Istanbul, has sparked debate due to the necessity of 'parliamentary approval' under Article 92 of the Constitution, as well as the risk of disturbing the Montreux balance in the Black Sea.
'MONTRÖ' STATEMENT FROM THE RUSSIAN EMBASSY
While discussions continue, a notable statement came from the Russian Embassy in Ankara.
In a statement made via the embassy's social media account on X, it was noted that questions had been received regarding the Montreux Convention, and the statement was made in response to these inquiries.
The statement included the following remarks:
'In response to the questions received by our embassy regarding the Montreux Convention, we would like to inform you of the following:
Russia places great importance on the Montreux Convention and steadfastly supports its implementation by all parties involved in international relations. We believe that the Convention serves the interests of all countries and states, especially in this dramatic period caused by recent events in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. In this context, we appreciate Turkey's balanced and responsible stance.'
Message of 'Technical Cooperation' in Commercial Transits
According to news sources, in addition to political support, Russia's technical expectations regarding commercial transits are also on the agenda. It has been reported that technical discussions are ongoing between Ankara and Moscow to overcome the congestion caused by insurance restrictions imposed on Russian tankers due to Western sanctions during strait passages.
Russia signals that the principle of 'freedom of commercial transit' provided by Montreux should not be obstructed by third-party sanction mechanisms and that it will continue to coordinate with Turkey on this matter.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
