Turkey has sparked a major row with Britain after it banned two ships being gifted to Ukraine from entering its waters.
The minesweeper boats will be banned from travelling through the Bosporus and Dardanelles on their way to the Black Sea after Turkey triggered the 1936 Montreux Convention when Russia invaded Ukraine.
The convention blocks the passage of warships through Turkish waters with the exception of ships returning to base.
According to Ihor Semyvolos, director of the Centre for Middle East Studies, said there was “virtually no chance” the British ships would be allowed to pass through.
However, Mr Semyvolos said the UK could sell the ships to Romania or Bulgaria for a nominal fee, which could then give or sell them to Ukraine.
He said: “If these ships were Romanian or Bulgarian, no one would stop them, because these countries are not at war.
“Then we may find difficulties with the Turks, but if we agree with them on this arrangement, then, basically, the Montreux Convention will not be formally violated.”
A statement from the Turkish Presidential Communications Directorate confirmed Turkey had told the UK and Ukraine the ships were banned.
