The Russian side is declaring a resolute protest over the recent violation of the rules of innocent passage in the Black Sea by Ukrainian Navy ships. Moscow has requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the developing situation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Russia has repeatedly warned the Kiev regime and its Western supporters that fanning up the hysteria over the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait was dangerous. It’s obvious that there was a provocation, carefully planned in terms of location and form, which is aimed at flaring up yet another point of conflict in the region and creating a new pretext to impose more sanctions against Russia," the statement reads.
"We would like to warn the Ukrainian side that its policy, coordinated with the United States and the European Union and designed at provoking conflict with Russia, is fraught with serious consequences. The Russian Federation will suppress harshly any attack on its sovereignty and security," the ministry added.
Moscow also said it’s outraged by vandalism attacks targeting Russian diplomatic missions in Ukraine following the Kerch standoff.
The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the incident involving Ukrainian navy ships was a very dangerous provocation on the part of Kiev
"This is a very dangerous provocation, which requires particular attention and a special investigation," Peskov said, commenting on the Kerch Strait incident.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini urged all to act with utmost restraint to de-escalate the situation immediately.
