EU condemns militarization of Crimea

“The Russian Federation’s ongoing militarization of the Crimean Peninsula continues to negatively impact the security situation in the Black Sea region and beyond. We continue to call on Russia to ensure unobstructed passage in the Sea of Azov and towards it in accordance with the international law,” Silvio Gonzato, the Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, said at the UN General Assembly meeting on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He also called on the Kremlin to immediately release Ukrainian fishermen and return the boat detained in the Sea of Azov on February 15.

In addition, Gonzato drew attention to the negative impact Russia has on the environmental situation in Crimea.

"We expect Russia to take steps to improve the environmental situation in Crimea which has deteriorated significantly," the diplomat said.

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