Given the tough situation in the area of Kerch Strait in the Sea of Azov, President Petro Poroshenko supported the offer of Ukraine's national security and defense council; it stipulates that the Ukrainian Parliament should consider the option to impose the martial law in Ukraine.
Poroshenko said this at the Council's emergency sesison on Monday, as the officials convened after midnight.
'As Supreme Commander, acting under the Constitution of Ukraine... I support the offer to put the respective decision to be considered by the Parliament. I ask the Parliament to convene for the emergency session', the head of the state said.
He stressed that Ukraine is 'not going to war with anyone'. Poroshenko added that the idea to impose the martial law is only due to the increasing aggression of the Russian Federation.
The President also said that no offensive actions from Ukraine will follow, solely defensive. Besides, he insisted, the martial law does not affect the status quo on the division line in Donbas.
'The decision does not mean an immedial mobilization, but consultations with the first echelon of the military reserve will be held. I address you, respected veterans: stay alert, please. We've got to provide all the necessary measures so as to stop the enemy and protect our country. I ask the MPs to urgently arrive in Kyiv for the emergency session of the Parliament, so that we can discuss the draft decision and responsibly make the actuial decision to protect the state,' Poroshenko said.
Leaders of the law enfrocement agencies and otehr responsible authorities reproted to Poroshenko, updating him on the latest events in the crisis area.
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,’ reads the message.
