Britain concerned about Russia's growing military presence in Azov Sea

20.11.2018 15:07

Ukrinform

Britain has called on Russia to stop detaining and preventing access for ships to the Sea of Azov, following a discussion at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on November 19, according to a statement released by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

"Russia and its security forces continue to disrupt Ukrainian and international shipping calling at Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov. In March, Russia opened an unlawfully constructed bridge across the Kerch Strait connecting Russia to the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula," an FCO spokesperson said in a statement on November 19.

The statement also notes that Russia's continued disruption of ships attempting to access Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov is destabilizing the regional economy.

"Since then, Russia has been conducting stop and search operations for cargo ships arriving at, and leaving from, Ukraine's ports in the Azov Sea. This is causing delays, significant increases in shipping costs, and a reduction in income to Ukraine's ports," the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said.

The statement says that so far, more than 200 vessels have been affected, "in a policy which is damaging Ukraine's economy and undermining its sovereignty ports."

"We are also concerned by Russia's growing military presence in the Sea of Azov. The UK supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and territorial waters. We call on Russia to allow unhindered access for merchant vessels through the Kerch Strait and in the Sea of Azov," the statement says.

On November 19, Russian border guards detained another Ukrainian fishing boat in the Sea of Azov, allegedly for violating fishing rules.

As reported, a member of the Russian Federation Council, Frants Klintsevich, said last week that Russia could block the Azov Sea for Ukrainian ships "within minutes."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, in turn, stressed that Russia's actions in the Azov Sea are nothing more than a "creeping occupation" and a new attempt to destabilize the situation in Ukraine, as well as create another area of tension. Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister for European Integration Olena Zerkal said earlier that Russia covers up its aggression regarding the blocking of ships and ports in the Azov Sea by international law on combatting piracy.

On October 25, the European Parliament passed a resolution due to Russia's obstacles to free navigation in the Azov Sea, proposing to toughen sanctions on Russia in the event of an escalation of the situation and condemning the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge.

Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, in turn, decided to strengthen the country's naval presence in the Sea of Azov by building a naval base.