President Poroshenko: Russia wants to seize the Sea of Azov and other Ukrainian territories
Russia intends to establish air control over the territories through which gas and oil are sent to Europe. Russia’s aggression must be stopped, said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in an interview with the newspaper Corriere della Sera, as reported by the official presidential website.
It’s not enough to make joint statements, Poroshenko stresses, it’s time to take action against the aggressor: to stop the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, increase NATO’s presence in the Black Sea, tighten sanctions against those guilty of aggression in the Kerch Strait, put a taboo on receiving Russian ships in European ports, and support Ukraine politically and economically.
The people who are trying to flirt with Putin will only provoke Russia to make new attacks on world order, freedom, and the values of democracy, Poroshenko says.
According to Poroshenko, there are 2 million people in Russia-occupied Crimea, many of whom are being repressed. During four years of fighting in the Donbas, 11,000 people have been killed and 1.5 million have been displaced.
It was not Ukraine that wanted an escalation of the crisis.
“It was Moscow that wanted and planned the clash in the Kerch Strait. After the invasion of the Donbas and the aggression in Crimea, they now want to take away the Sea of Azov, to oust us and take our other territories for themselves. Those who allow themselves to be led astray by Kremlin propaganda are naive,” the president emphasizes.
The global community has been made aware of the situation in the Sea of Azov, but Russian fighter jets continue to infringe on Ukraine’s airspace in various parts of the border. The same is happening with the Baltic states.
“They are also preparing to establish air control over the territories in which gas and oil are sent off, through which hydrocarbons are sent to Europe. Putin is threatening NATO’s eastern borders. If you remain silent, Putin will know that he can continue expanding and obtain new advantages,” Poroshenko says.
The Ukrainian head of state is pleased by Europe’s solidarity and its demands that Moscow release the captured Ukrainian sailors, respect international law, and guarantee freedom of ship movement. Poroshenko thanked US President Donald Trump for deciding not to meet with Putin at the G20 summit in Argentina. “The Russian leader is now isolated,” Poroshenko believes.
Poroshenko also expressed his gratitude to German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her efforts to deter Russian aggression.
“But this does not mean that the Russians will not continue their policy of invasion,” Poroshenko remarked.