Türkiye's strait closure blocked Russia from taking Odesa and Mykolaiv, envoy says
Photo: Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar (UNIAN)
At the start of Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, Türkiye closed the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, preventing Russia from capturing Odesa, Mykolaiv, and other areas, according to Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, for Ukrinform.
According to Türkiye's ambassador to Ukraine, Vasyl Bodnar, Türkiye's closure of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion was a critical step in Ukraine's defense.
“We sank one Moskva, while two other Russian cruisers remained in the Mediterranean. Türkiye’s decision to close the straits prevented Russia from leveraging its naval advantage to seize Odesa, Mykolaiv, and other territories Moscow planned to occupy through amphibious operations,” Bodnar stated.
The diplomat also highlighted Türkiye’s role as a vital transportation hub for Ukraine. Previously, when ships carrying goods for Ukraine docked at Turkish ports, delays occurred due to transport restrictions. Now, thanks to a transport visa-free regime between the countries, Ukrainian companies can transport essential goods from Turkish and other ports without requiring licenses or permits.
Türkiye's position on the war in Ukraine
A NATO member, Türkiye claims to maintain a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine. While supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, it continues active economic ties with Russia.
Türkiye has called for a political resolution to the conflict. Recently, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized Western partners' decision to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory using Western missiles.
