Chairman of the Russian Federation Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev said that Kiev is trying to provoke Russia into taking harsh measures by detaining vessels for visiting Crimea.
"Kiev believes it is crucial to provoke Russia into imposing countermoves that are as harsh as possible, preferably with the use of force so that it could then appeal to European agencies with allegations about Russian aggression. Judging by Europe’s recent statements, we can see that this scheme might work," TASS cited the senator as saying.
He added that the Europeans "have already expressed concern over legitimate inspections of foreign vessels by Russian agencies."
However, the Europeans have failed to mention the fact that relations between Moscow and Kiev had been marred through the fault of Ukraine, which arrested the Nord vessel and illegally detained its captain, Kosachev stressed.
"Of course, retaliatory measures are needed. They should be within the framework of laws, the way it has been until now, and with clear repercussions for the Ukrainian ‘pirates,’ so that Kiev realizes that lawlessness at sea will result in damage to Ukraine itself and this is what is actually happening now," Kosachev explained.
Kosachev noted that if the situation showed no signs of improvement, the Foreign Affairs Committee would discuss the issue at a meeting with law enforcement agencies, as was the case after the Nord’s seizure.
