Ukrainian minesweepers may join UK-French mission to clear Strait of Hormuz — The Times
Ukrainian minesweepers UNS Mariupol and UNS Melitopol (Photo: NATO Allied Maritime Command)
Four Ukrainian minesweepers, stationed in Portsmouth, England, could join a UK-French mission to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after the war in the Middle East ends, The Times reported on April 22.
Ukrainian officers will take part in a multinational military planning summit at the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) in Northwood, northwest London, on April 22, the publication noted.
The Ukrainian side is expected to announce its readiness to send its ships to demine the Strait of Hormuz during the meeting, according to the source.
"We are ready to provide everything," the unnamed interlocutor explained.
"There are four minesweepers, all of them located in Portsmouth. They cannot head to Ukraine, firstly, because they will become the number one target, and secondly, because of the Montreux Convention."
Warships of belligerent parties cannot pass through the Black Sea straits of the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus during a war in which Turkiye is not participating, according to the 1936 Montreux Convention.
The HMS Shoreham and HMS Grimsby minesweepers, transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the Royal Navy in 2023, as well as the UNS Mariupol and UNS Melitopol, transferred to Ukraine after serving in the Belgian and Dutch fleets, are now moored in the UK.
The HMS Shoreham and HMS Grimsby vessels remain in British waters because they cannot transit to the Black Sea.
However, Ukraine hopes these ships will help it with demining and ensure the protection of commercial shipping after the end of the war with Russia in the long term, The Times noted.
The UNS Mariupol and UNS Melitopol minesweepers are currently undergoing training as part of the Royal Navy with a Ukrainian crew, also waiting for the end of the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine could also provide naval drones or counter-drone equipment to help allies protect shipping from Iranian attacks, The Times wrote.
The UK, France, and other international partners have developed a joint plan to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on April 17.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier offered partners Ukraine's Black Sea experience for the security mission in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. extended the ceasefire and truce regime with Iran at Pakistan's request until Tehran's representatives provide their proposal for a peaceful settlement, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on April 21.
At the same time, he ordered the U.S. military to continue blocking Iranian ports and to "remain ready and capable of action."
Iran rejected the U.S. truce and announced its readiness to break the Strait of Hormuz blockade by force. Continuing the truce will allow the U.S. to launch a new strike against Iran, Tehran believes.
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