Russian Foreign Ministry warned Kiev against adventures in the Sea of Azov
The authorities of Ukraine should stop attempts to reconsider the status of the Sea of Azov as inland waters of two states contradicting international law, reports RIA News statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Such attempts aimed at the unilateral establishment of the maritime state border were called an adventure in the Russian ministry, which would never be recognized by Moscow.
The Foreign Ministry stressed that the entire responsibility for the possible aggravation of the situation in the Azov region rests with the Ukrainian authorities and the countries supporting them. At the same time, Moscow is still ready for a constructive dialogue.
Referring to the topic of checking the courts, the department said that the actions of the Russian border guards are legitimate and not discriminatory: all vessels without exception are checked. So, from 1492 ships checked between April and October inclusive, 720 (48%) flowed to Russian ports.
The ministry recalled that the Kerch Strait has never been international in the meaning of the UN Convention on 1982, and the requirements on the right of “transit or peaceful passage for foreign courts” cannot be applied to it. The Sea of Azov itself is the internal waters of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, where only Ukrainian and Russian ships enjoy freedom of navigation.
As for the increase in the number of warships in the Sea of Azov, it is caused by the increased security measures in the Kerch Strait in connection with the construction of the Crimean Bridge. Russia does not pursue the goal of putting economic or political pressure on Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s intention to create a military base in the Berdyansk region, as well as the closure of certain areas of the Sea of Azov for firing, is aimed at escalating tensions in the region.
The Foreign Ministry also expressed regret that the confrontational course of Kiev is supported by a number of countries, including the members of the European Union.
Recall, the situation in the Azov Sea aggravated at the beginning of the Russian fishing vessel “Nord” after the detention by the Ukrainian security forces, whose captain was accused of “illegally visiting the Crimea to harm Ukraine”.
Such attempts aimed at the unilateral establishment of the maritime state border were called an adventure in the Russian ministry, which would never be recognized by Moscow.
The Foreign Ministry stressed that the entire responsibility for the possible aggravation of the situation in the Azov region rests with the Ukrainian authorities and the countries supporting them. At the same time, Moscow is still ready for a constructive dialogue.
Referring to the topic of checking the courts, the department said that the actions of the Russian border guards are legitimate and not discriminatory: all vessels without exception are checked. So, from 1492 ships checked between April and October inclusive, 720 (48%) flowed to Russian ports.
The ministry recalled that the Kerch Strait has never been international in the meaning of the UN Convention on 1982, and the requirements on the right of “transit or peaceful passage for foreign courts” cannot be applied to it. The Sea of Azov itself is the internal waters of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, where only Ukrainian and Russian ships enjoy freedom of navigation.
As for the increase in the number of warships in the Sea of Azov, it is caused by the increased security measures in the Kerch Strait in connection with the construction of the Crimean Bridge. Russia does not pursue the goal of putting economic or political pressure on Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s intention to create a military base in the Berdyansk region, as well as the closure of certain areas of the Sea of Azov for firing, is aimed at escalating tensions in the region.
The Foreign Ministry also expressed regret that the confrontational course of Kiev is supported by a number of countries, including the members of the European Union.
Recall, the situation in the Azov Sea aggravated at the beginning of the Russian fishing vessel “Nord” after the detention by the Ukrainian security forces, whose captain was accused of “illegally visiting the Crimea to harm Ukraine”.
Information