Turkish MoD: "Status quo of Montreux Convention must be maintained"

"We are closely following the events between Russia and Ukraine that pose a serious threat to the security of both our region and the world," an official of the Ministry of Defense of Turkiye Pinar Kara said at a briefing.

"We reiterate our call for a diplomatic solution to this situation, which contradicts the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and international law, and emphasize the importance of an urgent ceasefire to prevent casualties and ensure peace and stability," she said.

"We believe that the status quo of the Montreux Convention must be maintained to ensure security in the Black Sea. Turkey has always implemented the convention carefully, responsibly, and impartially. In the current situation, the Montreux Convention will be implemented transparently, and the requirements of the agreement will continue to be fulfilled," Kara said.

According to her, on the 70th anniversary of membership, Turkiye will continue to share NATO's values and responsibilities and be at the center of security as the second-largest army of the Alliance.