Witness the bustling activity of commercial vessels in the vibrant port of Odessa. Behold the maritime beauty captured in this stunning photo by Reuters.
In a riveting turn of events, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey were on the brink of finalizing an agreement to safeguard navigation in the Black Sea back in March. However, just as the ink was about to dry on the agreed text, Kyiv surprisingly withdrew from the deal. Sources privy to the matter disclosed this intriguing development to Reuters. The proposed agreement aimed to ensure that commercial vessels would not be targeted, detained, or inspected while sailing with non-military cargo or empty.
After two months of intense negotiations, the Ukrainian reluctance to sign the document was palpable. Despite this, Kyiv reluctantly consented for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to make the announcement on March 30, strategically timed before crucial regional elections for the ruling party. ”At the eleventh hour, Ukraine’s sudden change of heart derailed the agreement,” revealed one source, a sentiment echoed by others. Official statements from Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey remained elusive. The rationale behind Kyiv’s abrupt withdrawal remains shrouded in mystery.
Yoruç Yıshık, a seasoned freelancer at the esteemed Middle East Institute in Istanbul and the brilliant mind behind the Bosphorus Observer blog, shared with The Insider his insightful perspective on the matter. He opined that while Russia and Turkey may have sought this security pact for propaganda purposes, its practical implications were dubious.
“The hypothetical existence of such a pact would have been beneficial, yet its tangible impact would likely have been minimal. Ukrainian ports, despite some insurance-related technicalities, remain accessible. True, civilian ports are vulnerable…
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