After initial reluctance, attributed to the country's close ties with both Russia and Ukraine,
[53] Turkish Foreign Minister
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu announced on 27 February that his government would legally recognise the Russian invasion as a "war", which provides grounds for implementing the convention with respect to military vessels.
[8] This blockage of naval vessels also applies to NATO powers who cannot now move their vessels from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. However, Çavuşoğlu reiterated that pursuant to the terms of the agreement,
Turkey cannot block Russian warships based in the Black Sea from returning to their registered base.[53] Around 27–28 February, Turkey refused permission for three out of four Russian warships to enter the Black Sea as their home base was not on the Black Sea.
[54]