Russia's foreign minister says Ukraine has violated international law and provoked Russia by sending its navy vessels through the Kerch Strait without permission.
The Russian coast guard fired on three Ukrainian ships Sunday and then seized them along with the crews. The Ukrainian navy said six of its sailors were wounded, while Russia said that three Ukrainian seamen received light injuries.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov charged Monday that Ukraine violated international legal norms by failing to obtain authorization for its vessels. Ukraine accused Russia of aggression, saying it had ignored a notification sent by the ships.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told Russian news agencies on Monday the incident was a “dangerous provocation” by Ukraine “which deserves special attention and careful investigation.”
A 2003 treaty designates the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov as shared territorial waters, but Russia has sought to assert greater control over the passage since the 2014 annexation of Crimea...
Ukraine says the ships were respecting international maritime rules as they headed to the Sea of Azov. Russia says they failed to obtain permission to pass through the Kerch Strait separating Crimea from the Russian mainland. Tensions between NATO and Russia have escalated since 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula...
Ukraine said its vessels were heading to the Sea of Azov in line with international maritime rules, while Russia charged that they had failed to obtain permission to pass through the narrow Kerch Strait separating Crimea from the Russian mainland.
So Ukraine has harbors on the Sea of Azov, but to get there ships must transit the Kerch Strait. Russia claims the strait and starts to impose a de facto blockade.
At least the EU and NATO called for deescalation and sent a strongly worded dispatch from their ambassadors.
Polish Government”Russian consistent breach of international law”... We strongly condemn Russia’s aggressive actions”
Canada “condems Russian aggression towards Ukraine in the Kerch Strait”
Estonia “condemns Russia’s attack against Ukrainian vessels”
German Bundestag Norbert Rottgen “This escalation is proof that Russia does not seem to be interested in any kind of outcome from the Ukraine negotiation process”
Danish Foreign Minister Samuelson “Russia must restore free passage at the Kerch Strait”
Trump better declare war on Russia or this will be another article of impeachment. /SARCASM