Russia, in addition to the aggression in eastern Ukraine, has declared an extremely large area in the Black Sea closed to military and other ships. By limiting maritime activities in Ukrainian waters, the Kremlin is again trying to undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
This was stated by the Charge d’Affaires of the United States in Ukraine Kristina Kvin during her visit to Mariupol, reported press service of the American embassy. The diplomat stressed that Russia creates obstacles to navigation and threats to limit freedom of navigation through the Kerch Strait. This affected both Ukraine’s international trade and the well-being of ordinary Ukrainians.
“Recently, Russia, in addition to escalating its forces in eastern Ukraine, declared an extremely large area closed to military and other official ships in much of the Black Sea through military exercises. And this, combined with other Russian actions in the Kerch Strait, effectively blocks access to the Sea of Azov for military and other state ships. Therefore, we will be absolutely frank characterizing these actions: by limiting maritime activities in Ukrainian waters, Russia is again trying to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, in this case at sea, “said Queen.
She also added that, despite Russia’s statements about the withdrawal of its troops from the Ukrainian border, the threat to Ukraine remains.
On June 25, the diplomat visited the construction of a military camp for the battalion of boats and the special actions department of the Maritime Guard of the State Border Service of Ukraine under the Export Control and Border Security Program of the US Embassy.
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Queen noted that the Berdyansk project aims to help Ukraine guarantee safe and free shipping and protect Ukrainian sovereignty in its territorial waters.
The project, she said, is only one part of a $ 4.5 million investment in military facilities in Berdyansk and Mariupol.
As reported OBOZREVATEL, Russia said that until October 2021 covers part of the Black Sea in the direction of the Kerch Strait for warships and ships. The reason for this decision was allegedly the planned exercises of the Russian fleet.
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