By canceling NATO military exercises in the Black Sea during Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, Turkey once again confirmed its principled commitment and readiness to defend national interests. This was said to BelTA by Andrei Chernobay, Military Analyst at the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research.
The expert recalled that Ankara, based on 1936 Montreux Convention, closed the passage through the Dardanelles and Bosphorus Straits to the Black Sea for the North Atlantic Alliance warships, thereby preventing possible provocations in connection with the armed conflict in the region.
"Thus, Turkey has made it clear that it will not allow warships of non-Black Sea countries to accompany commercial vessels exporting grain from Ukrainian ports", the analyst believes. "It is on such an operation involving foreign naval forces that Kiev insists today".
Andrei Chernobay made an emphasis on the importance of Turkey making consistent efforts to reduce tensions in the region, cherishing the reputation of a peacemaker and a neutral position in the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. Besides, Ankara is fundamentally opposed to any form of sanctions imposed by Western countries in connection with the ongoing special operation.