Putin has ‘serious concern’ over Ukraine martial law

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MOSCOW, Nov 27, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has
expressed “serious concern” over Ukraine’s decision to impose martial law,
the Kremlin said Tuesday, after a confrontation at sea between the two
countries.

In a phone conversation with Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin also said he
hoped the German leader could intervene to rein in Kiev.

Putin “expressed a serious concern over Kiev’s decision to put its armed
forces on alert and to introduce martial law,” the Kremlin said in a
statement following the call.

He also said he hoped “Berlin could influence the Ukrainian authorities to
dissuade them from further reckless acts,” it added.

A fresh crisis unfolded on Sunday when Russian forces boarded and captured
three Ukrainian ships, with Moscow accusing the vessels of illegally entering
Russian waters off the coast of Crimea in the Sea of Azov.

The surge in tensions prompted the Ukranian parliament to vote Monday in
favour of martial law in border areas for 30 days.

Martial law gives Ukrainian authorities the power to mobilise citizens with
military experience, regulate the media and restrict public rallies.