ArmInfo. It is very difficult to talk about cooperation when there is tension among the member countries of the organization. This was announced on November 27 at the 52nd meeting of the PABSEC General Assembly in Yerevan by the representative of the Ukrainian delegation, Serhiy Khlan, referring to the incident that occurred in the Sea of Azov between the Russian Navy and Ukraine on November 25.
Khlan noted that the Ukrainian side expresses its protest by such actions of Russia and requires the immediate provision of medical assistance to Ukrainian sailors. "Such actions are outrageous, we demand compensation for damages and we condemn the Kremlin for increasing tensions. Russia's actions are covered by the Kremlin's fraudulent propaganda, after all in fact an armed attack on the ships of Ukraine was carried out. Such actions are continuation of aggression in the Eastern Ukraine and prosecution of Cyprus Tatars. We call on to take efficient measures to stop Russian aggression, both on land and at sea. Moreover, we urge you to invite an observer to the region, "the representative of the Ukrainian delegation stressed.
In response to this, Head of the Russian delegation Nikolay Kolomeytsev noted that he had worked in this organization for 20 years, and to the honor of PABSEC for all 25 of its existence, this is the only organization that has not become politicized. "Moreover, I want to note that it is incorrect to make political statements on the eve of the elections. I want to note that the Ukrainian ships entered the waters of Russia, and not near the Crimea, but on the contrary, in the area of Krasnodar region. I suggest you read in detail the statement of the flotilla commander and other Ukrainian Seamen who admitted that they had entered the waters of Russia, I propose to end the discussion and move on to the main agenda of the day, "Kolomeytsev concluded.
To note, on November 25, the Federal Security Service of Russia declared that three Ukrainian warships "wrongfully entered the temporarily closed water area of the territorial sea of the Russian Federation". According to the Service, they are "dangerously maneuvering, not obeying the legal requirements of the Russian authorities." After that, the FSS announced that the Russian border guards were taking all measures to prevent the deliberate provocation of the Ukrainian Navy. According to the Russian side, the purpose of these courts is to create a conflict situation in the region. Three Ukrainian soldiers were injured, however, the hospital claims that the sailors received "light injuries" and feel normal. In turn, the Ukrainian side stated that the ship of the Russian border service "Don" carried out a ram of the Ukrainian raid tug "Yani Kapu", which, together with two other warships, armored with artillery boats Berdyansk and Nikopol was conducting a planned move from Odessa Harbour to Mariupol. The incident occurred in the Black Sea, near the Kerch Bridge. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarded the actions of Russia "as a violation of the norms of the UN Charter and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea". Earlier Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of violating international law by impeding free navigation in the Azov and Black Seas.