The Americans are not going to help the Ukrainian Navy break into Azov
The USS Fort McHenry's entry into the Black Sea is in no way connected to the statement by Ukrainian Security Council Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov that Ukrainian Navy vessels will continue to attempt to break through the Kerch Strait into the Sea of Azov.
Mikhail Samus, deputy director of the Ukrainian Center for Army, Conversion, and Disarmament Studies, announced this on Kyiv's "Crimea. Realities" radio station, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“I think that these events are not connected, because there is a plan for the presence of US naval forces in the Black Sea. This is absolutely a planned event. Ships of the United States and other NATO countries constantly enter the Black Sea to demonstrate to Russia that NATO has not forgotten about the Black Sea,” Samus said.
He also expressed doubt that the breakthrough of Ukrainian vessels through the Kerch Strait will take place in the near future.
“Now is not the best time to pass through the Kerch Strait into the Sea of Azov. Moreover, Ukrainian ships are not particularly ready in terms of seaworthiness for such long journeys. This will be done at a more convenient time. Turchynov’s statement demonstrates that Ukraine will not surrender the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov to Russia, and will constantly demonstrate freedom of navigation in these areas,” Samus said.
The Americans are not going to help the Ukrainian Navy break through to the Azov Sea.