After a brief exchange of pleasantries in the hallway, the three parties entered Ahmed's office, ready to formally negotiate the transit of Ukraine's Varyag aircraft carrier through Turkey's Bosporus Strait.
The Bosporus Strait is the gateway to the Black Sea—any vessel in the Black Sea must pass through it to exit. This geographically strategic location left the Varyag with no alternative route.
As soon as diplomat Vyacheslav took his seat, he eagerly began negotiations. "Hello, Prime Minister Ahmed, as you may already know, we're here today to discuss—"
However, before he could even finish his sentence, Prime Minister Ahmed rudely interrupted him. "Mr. Vyacheslav, I believe our Turkish government has already made our conditions very clear. Whether you can meet them or not is your business. It has nothing to do with us. My apologies."
Ahmed's attitude was one of absolute confidence, and his smug expression made Mavi feel deep resentment toward him.
However, given that this was a formal diplomatic occasion, Mavi was merely an observer. He was neither a diplomat nor a government official, so he had no authority to speak on behalf of his country. He understood his role and knew better than to interject recklessly.
Seeing that the Turkish side remained obstinate, diplomat Vyacheslav adopted a firmer stance. "Prime Minister Ahmed, don't you think the conditions your government has set are excessively harsh and unreasonable?"
"A $1 billion security deposit per day, along with numerous restrictions on passage—no other country in the world imposes such extreme demands."
Before coming to the meeting, Vyacheslav had received specific instructions from the Russian government: if Turkey was willing to negotiate reasonably, they would do so amicably. But if Turkey refused to be reasonable, then Russia would apply pressure.
"Mr. Vyacheslav, our Turkish government is not deliberately trying to make things difficult for Russia and Ukraine. However, the Montreux Convention explicitly states that if a non-littoral country's warship exceeds 1.5 tons in displacement, it must obtain our permission to pass through the Bosporus Strait," Ahmed said with a displeased expression.
In reality, Turkey had signed an agreement with Black Sea littoral states—the Montreux Convention of 1936.
Simply put, the treaty imposed certain restrictions on non-littoral nations' warships passing through the Turkish straits during peacetime. Specifically:
- The total displacement of warships passing through at any given time could not exceed 15,000 tons.
- The total displacement of warships remaining in the Black Sea could not exceed 30,000 tons.
- Warships could not stay in the Black Sea for more than 21 days.
- (Black Sea littoral states were exempt from these restrictions.)
The Varyag aircraft carrier had a displacement of 67,000 tons, far exceeding the 30,000-ton limit. Moreover, since it had already been sold, it was no longer officially owned by Ukraine.
Turkey was using this as an excuse to outright deny its passage, displaying an uncompromising attitude.
At times, conflicts between nations can be as frustrating as petty arguments between individuals. Turkey could have easily allowed the Varyag to pass, but instead, it insisted on nitpicking, hiding behind historical documents to obstruct Russia and Ukraine.
Upon hearing Turkey cite the Montreux Convention, both Vyacheslav and Deputy Prime Minister Snegana found themselves momentarily speechless. The treaty had been established over 60 years ago—how could it still hold such weight in 2001?
"Prime Minister Ahmed, does your government really intend to restrict us based on a treaty signed 65 years ago?" Vyacheslav asked coldly.
Russia and Ukraine were already struggling economically. They had finally secured a multibillion-dollar deal, only to be obstructed by Turkey, whose officials acted as if they were just street vendors selling ice cream. Anyone in their position would be furious.
"Mr. Vyacheslav, this is not targeted at your countries specifically," Ahmed replied stubbornly. "The Varyag is no longer a warship belonging to a Black Sea littoral state, and its displacement far exceeds the treaty's limit. The Montreux Convention is very clear about this—your governments signed it, after all!"
Turkey was clearly determined to stick to its argument. Ahmed believed that if Turkey played its cards right, the European Union would take note of its actions and potentially grant it EU membership.
Thus, standing firm against Russia and Ukraine was a calculated move—Turkey felt emboldened, as it was technically in the right.
Hearing the Montreux Convention cited yet again, Vyacheslav was visibly frustrated. But there was little he could do to counter it.
After all, Russia couldn't simply tear up the treaty and break the agreement—that would be a diplomatic disaster, giving the EU ample justification to criticize them. Instead, they needed to find a way to work around the treaty's restrictions.
Seeing the Russian diplomats at a loss for words, Ahmed became even more self-satisfied. He took a leisurely sip of tea, convinced that he had the upper hand.
But just as he was mid-sip, Mavi—who had remained silent throughout the meeting—suddenly spoke in a calm voice.
"According to the Montreux Convention, if Russia or Ukraine were to repurchase the Varyag aircraft carrier, then your government would have no legal grounds to block its passage. Correct?"
The moment Mavi's words landed, Ahmed abruptly choked on his tea, coughing violently as he nearly lost his breath.
Meanwhile, both Deputy Prime Minister Snegana and diplomat Vyacheslav turned to look at Mavi in shock. It was clear from their expressions that they were completely taken aback by his suggestion.
"Wait—he's right! Why didn't I think of that?" Vyacheslav nearly smacked his own forehead in excitement. "If we buy the carrier back, the damn Montreux Convention won't be an issue anymore!"
Now it made sense why higher-ups had specifically sent Mavi, a non-government official, to the meeting. Clearly, there was a reason for it all.
---
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