INCIDENCE OF THE UKRAINE-RUSSIA WAR IN THE BLACK SEA

There are four key elements in the Montreux Convention that regulate which ships
can enter the Black Sea in times of war:

1. Turkey may close the straits to vessels of the warring parties in times of war or
when Turkey itself is a party to the conflict or is threatened by another nation's
aggression.

Turkey can close the straits to merchant ships belonging to countries at war with
Turkey.

2. Any country with a coastline on the Black Sea (Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia,
Russia or Ukraine) must notify Turkey eight days in advance of its intention to send
warships through the strait.

3. While those who do not border the Black Sea must notify Turkey 15 days in
advance. Only Black Sea nations are allowed to send submarines through the
strait, only with prior notice and only if the ships are built or purchased outside the
Black Sea.