Press Releases: Russia's Harassment of International Shipping Transiting the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov

Press Releases: Russia's Harassment of International Shipping Transiting the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov
Press Statement

Heather Nauert
Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

August 30, 2018

---

The United States condemns Russia’s harassment of international shipping in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. Russia has delayed hundreds of commercial vessels since April and in recent weeks has stopped at least 16 commercial ships attempting to reach Ukrainian ports.

Russia’s actions to impede maritime transit are further examples of its ongoing campaign to undermine and destabilize Ukraine, as well as its disregard for international norms.

The United States supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.

We call on Russia to cease its harassment of international shipping in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

Published August 30, 2018 at 06:47PM
Read more at https://travel.state.gov