Political advisors of ‘Normandy Four’ in Berlin to discuss Kerch Strait conflict
The Ukrainian side is represented by Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Kostiantyn Yeliseyev. Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal also takes part in the talks, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
The Russian side is represented by presidential aide Vladislav Surkov, the German side – by advisor to the German Chancellor Jan Hecker.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel initiated the meeting immediately after the conflict occurred in the Sea of Azov.
Merkel in a telephone conversation on Monday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Ukrainian sailors and to ensure freedom of navigation through the Kerch Strait.
As reported, on November 25, Russian border ships committed the acts of aggression against three Ukrainian vessels heading from the port of Odesa to the port of Mariupol. The Russian special forces fired and seized three Ukrainian vessels in the Kerch Strait and 24 sailors aboard.
On November 26, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law approving the decree of the President of Ukraine on the imposition of the martial law for 30 days in 10 regions of Ukraine in connection with the aggression of Russia.
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