Kiev May Ask NATO, UN To Convoy Ships In Sea Of Azov Amid Tensions With Russia - Official

Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published August 15, 2018 | 09:50 PM

Ukraine may turn to the United Nations Security Council or NATO and ask to convoy Ukrainian ships in the Sea of Azov over Moscow's alleged blockade of the sea, the Ukrainian deputy minister for temporary occupied territories and internally displaced persons said on Wednesday.

KIEV (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th August, 2018) Ukraine may turn to the United Nations Security Council or NATO and ask to convoy Ukrainian ships in the Sea of Azov over Moscow's alleged blockade of the sea, the Ukrainian deputy minister for temporary occupied territories and internally displaced persons said on Wednesday.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure, between April 29 and July 9, Russia detained a total of 93 Ukrainian ships heading to Ukraine via the Kerch Strait, which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov, for inspection without specifying the reasons. As a result, the owners suffered losses because the ships stood idle. However, the Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal said that the Russian border guard officers acted in accordance with the protocol.

"In theory, we have two possible solutions. The first one is to file an appeal to the UN Security Council asking for a sea convoy.

The second one, which is less probable in my point of view, is to deploy NATO forces for convoying in the Sea of Azov," George Tuka said as broadcast by the 112 Ukraine tv channel.

In July, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan said that Kiev was negotiating with Western countries calling for new sanctions against the Russian sea ports on the Black Sea in retaliation for Russia's alleged blockade.

The relations between Russia and Ukraine has been tense since 2014 following the reattachment of the Crimean peninsula to Russia and Moscow's alleged involvement in the armed conflict in the Donbas Region in eastern Ukraine. Kiev refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the referendum held in Crimea and insists that the peninsula remains an integral part of Ukraine. Moscow repeatedly denied all accusations saying that the referendum was held in accordance with international law.