Turkey sparks row with Britain as it BANS two Ukrainian-backing ships from its waters
The boats will be banned from travelling through the Bosporus and Dardanelles on their way to the Black Sea.
Turkey has sparked a major row with Britain after it banned two ships being gifted to Ukraine from entering its waters.
The minesweeper boats will be banned from travelling through the Bosporus and Dardanelles on their way to the Black Sea after Turkey triggered the 1936 Montreux Convention when Russia invaded Ukraine.
The convention blocks the passage of warships through Turkish waters with the exception of ships returning to base.
According to Ihor Semyvolos, director of the Centre for Middle East Studies, said there was "virtually no chance" the British ships would be allowed to pass through.
However, Mr Semyvolos said the UK could sell the ships to Romania or Bulgaria for a nominal fee, which could then give or sell them to Ukraine.
He said: "If these ships were Romanian or Bulgarian, no one would stop them, because these countries are not at war.
"Then we may find difficulties with the Turks, but if we agree with them on this arrangement, then, basically, the Montreux Convention will not be formally violated."
A statement from the Turkish Presidential Communications Directorate confirmed Turkey had told the UK and Ukraine the ships were banned.
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It read: "Turkey, a NATO member, has informed the allies that it will not allow the ships to use its Bosporus and Dardanelles straits as the war in Ukraine continues."
The ban comes as Vladimir Putin struggles to repel Ukrainian missile attacks shelling Belgorod, which is located 40 metres away from the border with Ukraine.
Putin has been using North Korean missiles in the war with Ukraine and is aiming to procure more from Iran.