Ukrainian envoy requests closing Turkish Straits for Russian forces

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) – Ukraine's ambassador to Ankara on Thursday requested Turkiye to close the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits for Russian forces.

Vasyl Bodnar said at a news conference that they have made an official request to Ankara to close their airspace and straits for Russia.

“We want sanctions to be imposed on the Russian side. Particularly, we demand the seizure of the shares of the Russian business world here,” Bodnar said.

He underlined the importance of providing defense weapons, as well as financial and humanitarian assistance.

“We also call for support to the citizens of Ukraine currently in Turkiye, especially those who need additional protection and security,” he added.

He stressed that this is the first time in the region that a nuclear-armed country has launched an "open attack" on another independent country and "started a war."

He said Russia was attacking Ukraine on all fronts, including the borders with Crimea and Belarus as well as the eastern Donbas region.

“The Ukrainian armed forces and our regional security units are fighting against the Russian invaders,” he said.

Ukraine has declared martial law, he said, adding that they have decided to end diplomatic relations with Russia.

“We call on the whole world to form a coalition against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and to prevent the expansion of the war, especially in this region. All masks have now been taken down and we are now at war,” he said.

“We hope that all Turkish people will support Ukraine in this just cause,” he added.

According to reports, Russia is using weapons and missiles to target key areas in Ukrainian cities.

Early in the day, explosions were reported in several Ukrainian provinces, including the capital Kyiv, and tanks were reported to have crossed the border from Belarus into Ukraine.

The news came shortly after Putin announced a military intervention in Ukraine, just days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine. The recognition drew international condemnation and threats of tougher sanctions against Moscow.

Russia had amassed over 100,000 troops around Ukraine in recent months, but Putin denied any intention of invading.