The U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick blamed Russia's aggressive action in the Sea of Azov and called on President Donald Trump to bring his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to justice. The press service of the Ukrainian Embassy in the U.S. reported that, quoting Fitzpatrick as saying.
'Russia’s blatant violation of international law in the Sea of Azov and their provocative attack against Ukraine’s sovereignty are totally unacceptable. Russia must immediately restore the freedom of navigation through the Kerch Strait to allow Ukrainian vessels to freely use Ukrainian ports. Russia’s continued, illegal occupation of Crimea, and their ongoing attempts to destabilize Eastern Europe, directly threaten our national security interests. We cannot ignore Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. I urge the President and the Administration to fully hold Vladimir Putin accountable at next week’s G-20 summit. We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Ukraine', reads the message as posted on Fitzpatrick's personal page.
As is known, the coast guard ships of the Russian Navy acted aggressively against the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, which have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. The press office of the Ukrainian Navy reported this on Facebook.
‘November 25, the ships of the Ukrainian Navy with two armored gunboats and a sea mule tugboat have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. The intention to make the transition was informed in advance in accordance with international standards in order to ensure the safety of navigation. However, contrary to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Treaty between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on cooperation in the use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, the Russian coast guard ships - Sobol class patrol boat, Don border guard cruiser, Mangust class patrol boat and Suzdalets anti-submarine warfare ship performed blatantly aggressive acts against the ships of the Ukrainian Navy,’ the message said.
On Monday, Ukraine's Parliament considers the option impose the martial law due to the tense situation.
