Defence24 (Poland)

The Historical Context of Security in the Black Sea Region

The Black Sea’s strategic chokepoints are governed by the 1936 Montreux Convention, which gives Turkey authority to regulate warship passage during conflict. Historically, Ottoman control, the 1923 Lausanne Treaty, and later the Montreux revisions shaped the region’s naval balance, culminating in today’s Russian‑Ukrainian war dynamics. In February 2022 Turkey partially closed the straits to Russian warships at Ukraine’s request, yet allowed vessels claiming home‑port status to re‑enter, highlighting the convention’s nuanced rules. The treaty also imposes tonnage limits and time restrictions that constrain non‑Black Sea navies.