Possible New Sanctions Not To Influence Russian Policies In Sea Of Azov - Lawmaker

SIMFEROPOL (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2019) The possible introduction of new anti-Russia sanctions by Western nations will not trigger changes in the Russian policies in the Sea of Azov, since they are based on complying with the international law strictly, Mikhail Sheremet, a Russian State Duma lawmaker, told Sputnik on Wednesday.

His remark came as on Tuesday, Iryna Herashchenko, the first deputy speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, called on Ukrainian parliamentarians to address partner states with a suggestion to introduce a new batch of Russia sanctions over its alleged "military aggression" in the Sea of Azov. She said that Ukrainian President Petro Proshenko had already started calling on allies to impose the sanctions.

"Sanctions are unproductive. All these threats and aggressive rhetoric just damage relations between countries and impede trade and mutual understanding enhancement. Kiev's unfriendly policies are not a surprise for us. One sanction more or one sanction less [makes no difference]. Russia acts in strict compliance with international law and its national legislation.

Sanctions and pressure are unable to change Russian considered policies in the Sea of Azov," Sheremet said.

The lawmaker stressed that Russia was not interested in escalation of tensions in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

"Putting pressure on Russia is inappropriate. Russia is not a banana republic ... it is a powerful and globally respected state that is able to protect itself and stand up for itself in any situation," Sheremet added.

On November 25, Ukraine's Berdyansk and Nikopol gunboats, and the Yany Kapu tugboat illegally crossed the Russian maritime border as they sailed toward the Kerch Strait, the entrance to the Sea of Azov. Russia seized the Ukrainian vessels and detained 24 crew members after they failed to respond to a demand to stop. After the incident, a criminal case on illegal border crossing was opened in Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the incident was a provocation prepared in advance as a pretext to introduce martial law. Putin said the provocation could be linked to Poroshenko's low approval ratings ahead of the presidential election.