UN calls on Ukraine, Russia to avoid escalation on sea

At the same time, the UN reminded of Ukrainian sailors and ships previously seized by Russia, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“We're aware of the media reports. One thing is that we cannot independently verify the circumstances surrounding this development,” Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, commented on detention of Russian tanker in Izmail at a briefing on July 25.

He added that the UN had previously expressed concern over past incidents near the Crimean Peninsula by the Kerch Strait involving Ukrainian and Russian vessels and stressed the need to avoid any escalation.

“We reiterate the need to refrain from any ratcheting up of actions or rhetoric and to fully respect the rights and obligations of all concerned parties under relevant international instruments, based on the diplomatic and legal means available and in accordance with the UN Charter,” the Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General stated.

As reported, on Thursday, July 25, the Security Service of Ukraine and the Military Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine detained Russian tanker Neyma which had blocked the Ukrainian military vessels in the Kerch Strait in November 2018. The tanker’s crew was provided with an unobstructed opportunity to return home to their families.

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