Polish Foreign Minister: Russia remains ‘a very dangerous partner’
Polish Foreign Minister, Jacek Czaputowicz, stated that the recent incident in the Kerch Strait shows that "to protect its infrastructure, Russia may resort to the use of force," reports Polskie Radio.
According to the Polish Foreign Minister, the Kerch conflict was an important signal to the international community that Moscow remains "a very dangerous partner." He added that Warsaw will call for a “decisive reaction to Russian aggression”, in particular at the level of the European Union, NATO and the UN Security Council.
Czaputowicz also criticized Germany for supporting the implementation of the Russian Federation’s gas pipeline project Nord Stream-2.
On the morning of November 25, Ukraine informed the Russian port of its intention to transfer three ships through the Kerch Strait, as required by the Agreement on the joint use of the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait. However, at around 8:00 a.m., Russian ships carried out acts of provocation against the Ukrainian vessels, even ramming into the Yany Kapu tugboat.
Russia later accused the Ukrainian ships of illegally entering its territorial waters, claiming that they were “maneuvering dangerously” and “not complying with the legitimate demands of the Russian authorities”. Russia also physically blocked the Kerch Strait with a transport ship. The Ukrainian ships decided to return to Odessa, but they were chased and subsequently attacked by the Russian military. The Berdiansk and Nikopol boats were hit, and two crew members were wounded. All three of the ships were seized by Russia.
On November 28, the Kremlin-controlled court of Simferopol placed the Ukrainian sailors under 2 months of arrest – until January 25, 2019.