Ankara says US warships’ possible entry into Black Sea under discussion

Turkish National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has commented on claims that Turkish straits are open to US Navy vessels to locate and remove the wreckage of the MQ-9 drone that went down in the Black Sea.

"We are closely monitoring the issue. There are various contacts, including between entities in Türkiye itself. We are trying to find a reasonable and logical solution with our US partners. We are in favour of a peaceful way out of the situation," Anadolu Agency quotes Akar as saying.

Asked whether Ankara would allow the passage of US military vessels into the Black Sea, the minister said: "The Foreign Ministry and the Defence Ministry continue to work in close contact, interacting also with the Presidential Administration. The next steps will become clear in the near future.”