It is a truism that "no battle plan survives the first contact" because the enemy is fighting for his life and will do anything he can to kill you before you kill him. Anything. If you blockade a nation's ports and deny its free trade with the rest of the world, do not cry foul when he sabotages your ports, drops your bridges or ignites suitcase nukes in your cities. There is no "fair" in war, nor any war crimes prosecuted against the winners. If you aren't willing to do whatever it takes and to endure whatever it takes, for as long as it takes to win, put the war drums away.
Much of the world is waiting for the opportunity to gang up on America, which was once equipped and determined to simultaneously fight and win "two and a half Major Regional Contingencies" around the globe. That day is past; our military is worn out and our treasury is bankrupt after two decades of futile, far-flung wars against weak opponents. For us to stumble into a major war with Russia on its own doorstep would present the golden opportunity for all of Chaostan to erupt against the great infidel.
Whatever might happen to Crimea or Ukraine is not vital to the defense of the USA or even it's NATO allies. Put the drums away.
Yep, once the first bullet leaves the chamber, you are no longer in control of events.
Enacting a blockade is an act of war, and justifies armed response.
Russia sunk a ship and naval blockaded Ukraine a couple weeks ago. How should Ukraine respond militarily?
Given that Russia and Ukraine are on the verge of armed conflict then the Turks would have every right in the world to close the strait to BOTH Russian and Ukrainian shipping for the duration of any conflict.
In advance of this potential conflict it is prudent of the Turks to advise the Russians of Turkey’s treaty obligations should Russia wage open war against Ukraine.
And Russia will not engage Turkey over this because to do so will mean Turkey will request that NATO honor Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty.