In a recent development that has raised eyebrows in international circles, Turkey's behavior in the Black Sea region has been described as a betrayal of Russia, according to political commentators from China. This assessment was reported by the Chinese publication Tencent according to AB News, which suggests a significant shift in the complex relationship between Turkey and Russia.
Relations between Russia and Turkey have always been intricate, characterized by phases of both closeness and distance. However, the recent actions of Ankara in the Black Sea have come as a surprise against the backdrop of what seemed like a growing friendship between the two nations.
Turkey's Controversial Decision
Tencent's authors highlighted that Turkey, in the previous year, had imposed a ban on the passage of military ships through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits into the Black Sea. Until recently, Ankara had been successfully adhering to the Montreux Convention, which regulates navigation in this region. However, a recent exception allowed a British minesweeper to pass through these straits.
The Sandown-class minesweeper successfully navigated through the Dardanelles and Bosphorus, reaching the territorial waters of Romania. Chinese analysts believe that Turkey's decision to allow this ship passage was a reckless move towards Russia. They speculate that Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to be highly displeased with this development.
Meanwhile, Turkey continues to prohibit Russian military ships from passing through the straits between the Black and Mediterranean Seas. This selective allowance and restriction have been noted as a significant point of contention.
Russia's Muted Response
While Russian officials have chosen to ignore this news publicly, it does not imply that the Kremlin is unaware or unconcerned. It appears that Moscow is deliberately avoiding escalating the situation further. However, according to Chinese journalists, Putin is angered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's actions and is likely to demand explanations during personal communications.
This incident marks a potential turning point in Russo-Turkish relations, suggesting a more complex geopolitical landscape in the Black Sea region. The actions of Turkey, a key player in the region, and its implications for Russia's strategic interests, are likely to be closely monitored by international observers in the coming days.
