Ukrainian President: we need our allies help to hold back Russia in the Black Sea
Ukraine needs an increased naval presence of Germany and allies in the Black Sea. It could serve as a deterrent to Russia, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in an interview with the German Funke Media Group, the president's press service reported.
“We need a strong, unified, unambiguous reaction to Russia’s aggressive behavior. We must prevent Nord Stream 2. We have to consider imposing new sanctions now,” Poroshenko said.
The Ukrainian President said that Russia's aggressive actions are unacceptable, and the international community and Europe should increase pressure on Russia.
In addition, the president of Ukraine said that it was time to respond to Russia. He recalled the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury with the nerve agent Novichok.
“I believe that the meeting of the European Council in Brussels, which will take place in December, will serve as a timely opportunity to consider the situation based on the principle of solidarity and unity with Ukraine,” the President said.
It was reported earlier that the German government rejected the call of the Ukrainian ambassador to increase pressure on Russia because of the Kerch crisis and to send German warships to the Black and said that "the most important thing now is restraint and dialogue."
On November 25, Russia captured the Ukrainian military boats Berdiansk and Nikopol and the tug boat Yany Kapu in neutral waters. There were 24 Ukrainian sailors on board who were detained and later arrested.
Ukraine regarded the event as an act of military aggression and imposed martial law in 10 border regions until December 26, 2018.