Ukraine ready to counter Russia's "provocations" in the Black Sea
(Baonghean.vn) - On November 12, Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak affirmed that the country is ready to deal with any possible "provocations" by Russia in the Black Sea.
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| Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak. Photo: Getty |
"(We) are completely ready. First of all, we have drawn conclusions from what is happening in the Sea of Azov. Secondly, we have the opportunity to exercise and strengthen our forces," Poltorak said in an interview.
Ukraine accused Moscow of carrying out "provocative actions" in the Sea of Azov, after Russia opened a bridge across the Kerch Strait in May and began monitoring commercial ships passing through the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.
For its part, Russia said that the surveillance of the ships was aimed at ensuring security in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, and affirmed that this activity did not violate international law.
Relations between Kiev and Moscow have deteriorated since early 2014 over Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula and the armed conflict in southeastern Ukraine./.
