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EU-UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CONFLICT-NATO
EU economy ‘suffering’ in Ukraine-Russia spat: Mogherini
BRUSSELS, Dec 5, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Tensions between Ukraine and Russia off
the coast of Crimea are affecting EU economies as European vessels are caught
up in delays, the bloc’s diplomatic chief warned Wednesday.
Russia seized Ukrainian ships and sailors last week and has been accused
by Kiev of restricting the movement of vessels through the narrow Kerch
Strait, which connects the Sea of Azov to the larger Black Sea.
Federica Mogherini said that the EU was “suffering an impact” and she
would raise the matter with the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers at
meetings in Milan. “We are extremely concerned about developments in the Azov
Sea, not only because of the attempts on Ukraine but also because the
activities in the Azov Sea slow down enormously the vessels that are also
carrying European Union member states’ flags,” Mogherini said as she arrived
for talks with NATO foreign ministers.
“So we are suffering an impact on our own economies beyond the security
threats that we clearly see today.”
Late last month Russia opened fire on and seized three Ukranian navy
vessels as they tried to pass through the Kerch Strait.
Russian forces detained 24 Ukrainian crew members, three of whom were
wounded.
The incident was the most dangerous in years between the ex-Soviet
neighbours, which have been locked in a confrontation since 2014 when Russia
annexed Crimea and supported an insurgency in eastern Ukraine.
Despite international calls for their release, the Ukrainians were
sentenced to two months detention and are now held in Moscow.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin used talks on Tuesday with his
NATO counterparts to press the alliance to come up with a “comprehensive
answer” to the Russian security threat.
Wary of exacerbating tensions or entangling themselves in a complex
conflict, European leaders have rebuffed Ukrainian calls for more support
against Moscow.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1432 hrs