Ukraine and NATO consider possibility of joint operations in the Black Sea
At the meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission, Kyiv intends to discuss new decisions regarding the cooperation on the security of the Black Sea, including the possibility of a joint presence in the Black Sea, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin on Monday.
"We must find new solutions in the context of cooperation regarding the Black Sea security. It may be a joint presence. We are talking about such a presence. It may be other measures as well. Today, a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission will be held. We will talk about what measures we need to take, "Klimkin said at a briefing on Monday, which was broadcast on the Pryamyi TV channel.
Klimkin added that he does not exclude the possibility of a joint presence of Ukrainian ships and vessels of western partners in the Black Sea Region.
On the morning of November 25, Ukraine informed the Russian port of its intention to transfer three ships through the Kerch Strait, as required by the Agreement on the joint use of the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait. However, at around 8:00 a.m., Russian ships carried out acts of provocation against the Ukrainian vessels, even ramming into the Yany Kapu tugboat.
Russia later accused the Ukrainian ships of illegally entering its territorial waters, claiming that they were “manoeuvring dangerously” and “not complying with the legitimate demands of the Russian authorities”. Russia also physically blocked the Kerch Strait with a transport ship. The Ukrainian ships decided to return to Odessa, but they were chased and subsequently attacked by the Russian military. The Berdiansk and Nikopol boats were hit, and two crew members were wounded. All three of the ships were seized by Russia.