16:24 11.07.2018

Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry offers mirror measures for Russia's restrictions on navigation in Azov Sea

2 min read
Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry offers mirror measures for Russia's restrictions on navigation in Azov Sea

Russia intentionally creates obstacles to the ships heading to Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea, this issue should be considered at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC), mirror measures should be taken, and international sanctions should be initiated, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan has said.

"Since April this year, we have been recording regular inspections of all ships going to Mariupol and Berdiansk seaports. We understand that Russia is doing it intentionally in order to make shipowners change their routes. Ukraine should take mirror measures," he told reporters in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Omelyan said that the ministry had submitted its proposals, this issue was considered at a Cabinet of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, but it should be raised at the NSDC level for a more effective reaction, including the international response.

"Yesterday we discussed this situation in Strasbourg with European and American colleagues [...] In my opinion, the EU and other countries should impose at least sanctions on Russian ports in the Black Sea basin," the minister said.

As reported, according to the Infrastructure Ministry, during the period from April 29 to July 9, 2018, Russian special divisions detained 93 ships for inspection, without explaining the reasons.

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