Azov Sea blockade problem should be resolved diplomatically - Tuka

The problem with Russia's blocking Ukrainian ships in the Sea of Azov needs to be resolved diplomatically, with the involvement of international partners.

Ukraine's Deputy Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons Hryhoriy Tuka told this to journalists on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"I am against radicalization. I am against the war being moved to the sea, because I believe that it will be enough to act diplomatically, including, without any doubt, with the help of our European and American partners," he said.

The official noted that unblocking the Sea of Azov is "one of the most painful" issues, since Russia and Ukraine have the same rights, but Ukraine has no opportunity to respond proportionally to the actions of Russians.

"In principle, we, as well as them, have the right to stop those ships, inspect them, and not let them go. This would be a 'mirror response' if we had a physical ability, a respective level of the fleet," Tuka said.

op