Güler: Montreux compliance kept the war from spreading beyond the region

Türkiye’s Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler said at a trilateral meeting in Sofia that Ankara had strictly complied with the convention’s Black Sea security provisions since the war began and maintained channels of dialogue with Moscow.

Türkiye’s Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler said that Türkiye’s strict implementation of the Montreux Convention governing the straits had helped prevent the Russian-Ukrainian war from spreading beyond the region. He spoke on Wednesday in Sofia at a trilateral meeting of the defense ministers and chiefs of general staff of Türkiye, Bulgaria and Romania.

“Since the beginning of the war, we have strictly complied with the requirements of the Montreux Convention concerning the security of the Black Sea,” Güler said. He said Türkiye applies the convention’s rules to the passage of warships through the Turkish Straits and maintains open channels of dialogue with Moscow to prevent the escalation of regional crises.

Türkiye’s Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler at the Turkish Embassy in Sofia

Ankara monitors strikes on merchant vessels

Güler reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He noted that drifting mines and uncrewed boats had threatened shipping throughout the conflict, and that another merchant vessel had recently been hit by three drones in Bulgaria’s maritime zone. The minister called on both warring parties to exercise greater caution.

Türkiye retains all legal rights in connection with attacks on vessels flying the Turkish flag and vessels operated by Turkish companies, Güler stressed, adding that it was closely monitoring the latest strikes on merchant shipping.

Three countries jointly clear mines from the Black Sea

The minister recalled that Türkiye, Bulgaria and Romania had established a group for mine-countermeasure operations in the Black Sea. Türkiye conducts mine-clearance operations using naval and aviation assets and also leads the maritime component of the coalition of volunteers for Ukraine.

Güler said the three countries “have no shortage of capabilities,” but that timelines and current circumstances must be taken into account. He called for balanced and delicate diplomacy at the tactical and strategic levels. Türkiye’s Chief of General Staff, General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, also attended the meeting.

Güler: Montreux compliance kept the war from spreading beyond the region