Ukraine studying force-based scenario for unblocking the Azov Sea
Ukraine is studying a force-based scenario for unblocking the Azov Sea in response to Russia’s actions, stated the Deputy Minister for the Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons, George Tuka in an interview with Apostrophe news outlet.
Tuka was reluctant to discuss specifics or difficulties about how the situation might play out. "The situation is complicated, but I cannot say that we have lost [the Azov Sea]. I am not ready to make public certain scenarios that we are studying now, including the use of force. The issue is very difficult. And I would not want to talk about forthcoming activities without a certain decision,” he said.
Earlier, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov stated that Russia’s military and political authorities see the Azov and Black Sea region as an important foothold for its further expansion.
At the Ukraine-EU Summit, the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko discussed the threats posed by Russia in the Black and Azov Seas. He noted that he counts on the support of international partners in increasing pressure on Russia for lifting the its blockade in the Azov Sea that clearly conflicts with the Agreement on Cooperation on the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait from 2004.