Arguments against blocking the Kerch Strait for Ukraine were named in Crimea
Russia must be guided by international maritime law in its actions in the Sea of Azov.
This opinion was expressed to Politnavigator by candidate of political sciences, retired captain of the first rank Sergei Gorbachev, commenting on today’s statement by Russian Senator Franz Klintsevich about the possibility of blocking the Sea of Azov for Ukrainian ships.
“I think Klintsevich got a little carried away by making such a maximalist statement. Of course, we can ensure there is no access to the Sea of Azov, because these are our territorial waters. But we must proceed from international law and legislation,” Gorbachev said.
He recalled that today there is a 2003 agreement between Russia and Ukraine, which recognizes the Sea of Azov as internal for the two countries.
“Of course, the situation changed after that, the waters of the Kerch Strait became Russian. But the status of the Sea of Azov has not changed. Russia and Ukraine must build relations amicably, without resorting to harsh measures. At the moment there are no grounds for such actions,” Gorbachev said.
He called Ukraine’s actions to seize Russian ships opportunistic.
“Tomorrow, with the change of power in Ukraine, the situation may change. Therefore, Russia must proceed from a long-term perspective, from the interests of two fraternal peoples. We must not give in to emotions, but act in accordance with the spirit and letter of the law. We must rise above momentary impulses and not continue Kyiv’s course towards worsening relations. It is necessary to persuade healthy forces in Ukraine to the negotiation process,” Gorbachev said.
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