National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to discuss the situation in the Azov Sea
President Petro Poroshenko instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to prepare proposals for the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) meeting on securing Ukrainian interests in the Azov Sea in view of Russia's actions in this region.
“I look forward to proposals regarding promoting our interests in the Azov Sea. I strongly believe that the current situation is absolutely unacceptable and I’m not going to just accept it,” Poroshenko said at a meeting with leaders of foreign diplomatic institutions in Kyiv. He also said that "unlawful and depraved actions" should not remain unpunished.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine claims that Russia has already detained more than 150 foreign ships that were going to Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea. The Russians delay the issuance of passage permits for ships that are on the way to Ukraine through the Kerch Strait.
Earlier, Poroshenko instructed the Armed Forces of Ukraine to take measures against the illegal detentions and inspections of Ukrainian and foreign vessels going to ports of the Azov Sea.
According to the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksandr Turchynov, Russia is preparing to launch a military and economic blockade of the Azov Sea because it considers the Azov-Black Sea region an important springboard for its further expansion.