INTERNATIONAL: Six Russian warships were in the Black Sea from the Mediterranean for naval drills. Russia's Defence Ministry has confirmed it on Tuesday,February 8, in what it said was a pre-planned movement of military resources.

Russia has announced last month its navy would stage a sweeping set of exercises involving all its fleets in January and February, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, in the latest show of strength in a surge of military activity during a standoff with the West over Ukraine. The six ships have passed through Turkey's straits to the Black Sea on Tuesday and Wednesday, Turkish sources has confirmed.

The vessels include the Korolev, the Minsk and the Kaliningrad, have navigated the Bosphorus on Tuesday, while the Pyotr Morgunov, the Georgy Pobedonosets and the Olenegorsky Gornyak have passed on Wednesday.

Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops near the Ukraine border. However, it denies any plans to invade but is seeking sweeping security guarantees, including a promise of no missile deployments near its borders, a scaling back of NATO military infrastructure and a ban on Ukraine ever joining the alliance. Legally, NATO member Turkey could shut the straits to transit if Russia were to take military action against Ukraine.

A political analyst based in Istanbul, Yoruk Isik has said, Turkey is authorized to close the straits to all foreign warships in wartime or when it is threatened by aggression. Also, it is authorized to refuse transit to merchant ships belonging to countries at war with Turkey.

Turkey, which shares a maritime border with both Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea, has said any military conflict would be unacceptable and has told Moscow any invasion would be unwise.

However Turkey President Tayyip Erdogan has also offered to mediate in the row between Moscow and Kyiv. Ankara has cordial relations with both countries, though Erdogan says it will do what is necessary as a NATO member in the event of a Russian invasion.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said after talks in the Kremlin on Monday with Russia's Vladimir Putin that the coming days would be crucial in the standoff over Ukraine. Putin has suggested some progress had been made in the talks.