Скачать или смотреть News Russia flatly rejects UK and Ukraine's claims to the Sea of ​​Azov

News Russia flatly rejects UK and Ukraine's claims to the Sea of ​​Azov

Russia rejects UK, Ukraine claims over Sea of ​​Azov

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that after the Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia People's Republics joined Russia in September 2022, the Sea of ​​Azov became the country's internal sea. Moscow affirmed that it would resolutely prevent any claims to sovereignty over the region.

According to Sputniknews, on January 18, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized Moscow's tough stance in protecting territorial sovereignty. She affirmed: "Neither Ukraine nor the UK has a legitimate reason to cooperate in the Sea of ​​Azov. This is Russia's internal sea after the Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions joined the Russian Federation. Any claims to the Sea of ​​Azov are considered interference in Russia's internal affairs and will be blocked by us."

The statement came after Ukraine and the UK signed a “100-year partnership agreement” on January 16, during a visit by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Kiev. The agreement commits to strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries in the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and the Sea of ​​Azov. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that the agreement took Ukraine-UK relations to a new level, beyond strategic ties. “We have reached a new level. This is beyond strategic ties. We have signed a 100-year partnership agreement,” Zelensky said.

However, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the agreement as a “public relations stunt” aimed at attracting attention. She stressed that Russia will not recognize any form of cooperation between Ukraine and the UK regarding the Sea of ​​Azov, warning that Moscow will take preventive action if it detects any attempts to challenge Russia's sovereignty in the region.

The agreement between Kiev and London is expected to deepen bilateral defense ties and pave the way for continued British military assistance to Ukraine. However, the specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed by the two sides.

Russia considers Ukraine and the UK's announcement of cooperation in the Sea of ​​Azov a serious violation of its sovereignty and national interests. The move is seen as part of the confrontation between Russia and the West after the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in February 2022. The annexation of Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia to Russia has caused much international controversy, as most major countries and organizations in the world, including the United Nations, do not recognize this move. The West has also imposed many sanctions on Russia after this event.

The Sea of ​​Azov has an important strategic position in the region, acting as a gateway connecting the Black Sea and the inland regions of Russia and Ukraine. Control of the Sea of ​​Azov is not only related to military issues but also has a strong impact on the economic and trade interests of the parties involved. Therefore, disputes here are expected to continue to be a hot spot in tensions between Russia, Ukraine and Western allies in the coming time.