The UK is helping Ukraine create a fleet, which will eventually make it possible to “unblock the Black Sea and Azov coasts.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky spoke about this at a joint press conference in Kyiv, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“What threats does Great Britain see in the Black and Azov Seas? And how can it help Ukraine in order to prevent escalation there?” – there was a question from journalists.
“Yes, I should have said that. We also have an agreement on cooperation in the naval industry, and in this way we help protect the maritime borders of Ukraine,” Boris Johnson answered briefly.
However, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky considered it necessary to comment on the situation in more detail and thank the British trustees.
“I will add that the issues of a developed and equipped Ukrainian Navy are issues of support from Great Britain for Ukraine, namely, the construction of our fleet.
I understand that today this will not unblock and protect us in the Black Sea, and will not unblock the Black Sea and Azov coasts, but this is one of the most powerful steps - an independent fleet that will protect our shores and waters.
Once again, I thank the Prime Minister; we raised this issue a couple of years ago, and have now come to the point of putting this issue into practice. These include naval bases and so on. I think this will all help us a lot,” Zelensky said.