Kyiv and London are preparing to counteract Russia in the Black and Azov Seas
Great Britain is now Kyiv’s key partner in the development of the Ukrainian Navy.
President Vladimir Zelensky stated this at a meeting with British Defense Minister Ben Wallace, who arrived in the Ukrainian capital.
Zelensky thanked London for the agreements reached on a credit line in the amount of 1,7 billion pounds sterling, through which, in particular, the British will build boats for the Ukrainian Navy.
“Great Britain has become our key partner in the development of the Ukrainian fleet. I expect that future security projects planned under this agreement will be effectively implemented,” Zelensky said.
The press release of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine following the meeting between the head of the department, Alexey Reznikov, and Wallace gives an understanding of what Kyiv and London are planning in the foreseeable future.
“The heads of delegations paid special attention to the issue of further use by the Russian military-political leadership of hybrid methods of warfare both against Ukraine and EU and NATO member countries, as well as the continued militarization of the Azov-Black Sea region and obstruction by the occupying country - the Russian Federation - of free shipping.
Members of both delegations noted the fact of further aggravation of the security situation due to Russia’s irresponsible and provocative actions,” reports the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
On the eve of Wallace's visit to Kyiv, the organization "Maidan of Foreign Affairs" working on Western grants released data according to which Russia has increased the delay time of ships carrying export cargo from Mariupol and Berdyansk through the Kerch Strait.
In October 2021, the average delay for such vessels was about 38 hours, which is 10 hours more than a year ago.
As is known, Russia has strengthened control over ships sailing from Ukrainian ports after Ukraine seized the Crimean seiner Nord with its crew on board.
Delays in the passage of the Kerch Strait lead to losses for shipowners, who subsequently refuse to work with Ukrainian ports, which in turn brings losses to Kyiv.
Kiev social activist Elena Markosyan expresses concern about the mention of the Azov and Black Seas in press releases following the visit of the British minister.
“I remember we already had such discussions once, and right at the end of the year. Petya then introduced martial law and sent the guys on an outright provocation, which could have cost them their lives. And now they’re discussing it again?” – Markosyan writes in his blog, hinting at the well-known incident with the attempt of Ukrainian boats to break through the Kerch Strait under Petro Poroshenko.
English version :: Read in English: Kyiv and London are preparing to counter Russia in the Black and Azov Seas.