Putin Feels The Bite of Irony

The Montreux Convention and why it matters

When it comes to war, it’s important to consider all access points when shoring up defenses.

The NATO alliance is sending more troops to the western border of Ukraine, to protect NATO countries from Russia. This troop deployment is the first time in the history of NATO that a response force has been sent in the collective defense of allies.

Member countries are sending more arms to Ukraine, including air defense weapons to help them in their fight against Russia.

Then Turkey stepped up.

One of Russia’s long-time allies, Turkey also has close ties to Ukraine and is walking a tight line between the two relationships. They’re also a member of NATO,

The Montreux Convention is a 1936 agreement that gives Turkey authority over the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits. That’s the easiest way for Russia to move ships into the Black Sea.

Turkey has control over the Montreux Convention and they’ve invoked articles 20 and 21 of the agreement. These articles allow them to ban warships from the straits during times of war.

This is indeed a time of war.

That step prevents Russia from moving any more warships into the Black Sea but they could use their back door access, the Don-Volga canal, and move support from the Caspian Sea.

What’s the ironic part?

The Montreux Convention was controversial at the time.

The allies were concerned that Turkey had control over the passage, especially since they were close allies of the Soviet Union at that time. It allowed the Soviet Union military access to the Mediterranean Sea.

It’s ironic that Turkey is willing to use the convention to prevent Russia from moving any more warships into the Black Sea.

Is it too late?

In early February, under the guise of ‘military exercises’, Russia moved 6 warships and a submarine through the straits into the Black Sea.

As a side note, they also moved two Slava Class cruisers to the Mediterranean. Both cruisers are accompanied by other warships, some are equipped with cruise missiles.

There are also Kilo Class submarines in Tartus, these may be seen as a direct counter to NATO carrier battle groups there.

It’s clear that Putin has been planning a full-scale invasion of Ukraine for some time. They‘re fully aware that when it comes to war, it’s important to consider all access points.

Land, sea, and air, they’ve got them all covered.

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