Two Turkish government officials said on Sunday that, despite heightened
security concerns, vessels are continuing to transit the Turkish Straits to the
Black Sea. Turkey had earlier restricted commercial access after attacks on
Black Sea ships, including Turkish-flagged vessels, and has repeatedly warned
Moscow and Kyiv to take measures to secure navigation; on Saturday Foreign
Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara had urged both sides to declare a suspension of
strikes in the Black Sea. The officials, speaking anonymously, said Ankara has
implemented temporary measures amid serious security concerns but that passage
remains open under the terms of the Montreux Convention.
