The Montreux Convention (1936) as a Geopolitical Lens Since the Russia-Ukraine Conflict 2022-

Abstract

This chapter examines the geopolitics of the Regime of the Straits, (the Montreux Convention 1936), governing the Turkish Straights connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. It is on the agenda following the military attack launched by Russia on Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Russia initiated a naval blockade of Ukrainian ports. The Convention prevents countries outside the Black Sea area from sending ships to break the blockade. In July 2022, an agreement brokered by the United Nations and Turley was reached for limited exports of some products as many countries worldwide rely on Ukrainian grain, and without it, there would be hundreds of millions of starving people. However, the same agreement also prevents any ships entering the Black Sea to import goods to Ukraine as Russia is concerned that foreign weapons could be shipped there. The Agreement must be renewed every 120 days and so remains at the fore of international attention and may well put to the test other similar international conventions.