Ukraine wants Turkey to close Bosporus to Russian vessels

Kiev (dpa) - Ukraine is requesting support from NATO following a recent naval clash with Russia, including a plea to member state Turkey to close the Bosporus to Russian vessels.   

“We will request that the Republic of Turkey close the Bosporus so that the Russians know” that their country has violated international law, Admiral Ihor Voronchenko said Thursday at a conference on maritime security in Kiev.   

Closing the Bosporus Strait would prevent Russian vessels from travelling between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. 

Ukraine accuses Russia of restricting access to another waterway on the Black Sea, the Kerch Strait, which connects with the Sea of Azov.   The Russian coastguard opened fire and then captured several Ukrainian naval ships in the Kerch Strait at the weekend, alleging they had illegally crossed into Russian territorial waters near the disputed Crimea region.   

Russia occupied and annexed Crimea four years ago in response to Ukraine ousting its Russian-backed president in a pivot towards the West.