Russia alleges US and NATO plans to alter Black Sea access for military use

The United States and its NATO allies are reportedly devising plans to alter the regime governing the Black Sea straits and to utilize Europe's inland waterways for military access to the Black Sea, according to Nikolai Patrushev, a Russian presidential aide and chairman of the Maritime Board.

He made these statements during a shipbuilding meeting in Crimea, Caliber.Az reports referencing Russian media sources.

Patrushev emphasized that “the U.S. and its NATO allies are doing everything possible to maintain their dominance in the global maritime domain.” He noted their intentions to increase naval presence in the Black Sea, modify the existing regime of the Black Sea straits established by the Montreux Convention, and use Europe’s inland waterways, specifically the Danube, for military purposes to reach the Black Sea.

He pointed out that the reduction of Russia's influence in the Black Sea region is a key goal for unfriendly Western nations as part of their strategy to achieve a strategic defeat of Russia. Patrushev reminded attendees that according to Russia's Maritime Doctrine, both the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov are critical areas for safeguarding national interests in global maritime activities.

He stressed the priorities for implementing Russia's national maritime policy in the Azov-Black Sea basin, which include ensuring navigation safety, modernizing port and coastal infrastructure, and advancing the shipbuilding sector.

Under the Montreux Convention, Black Sea states can send warships of any class through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits with prior notification to Turkish authorities during peacetime. In contrast, non-Black Sea powers face restrictions, including a limit of no more than nine warships and a combined tonnage of 30,000 tons, with a maximum stay of 21 days.

Earlier, Patrushev highlighted that NATO countries frequently conduct military exercises simulating conflicts with Russia. He cited the “Steady Defender” manoeuvres in the Baltic region as an example of this practice, which occurred in the spring of the current year.

Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that Russia is prepared for a military response to NATO exercises in the Arctic, asserting that the Arctic is not NATO territory and criticizing the alliance for attempting to expand its influence in that region.

By Tamilla Hasanova