Russia's actions in Sea of Azov an attempt to destabilize Ukraine - State Department

According to the response, the U.S. considers barriers from Russia to international transport shipping in the Sea of Azov another example of attempts by Russia to destabilize Ukraine. The United States continues to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders and calls on Russia to stop creating barriers to international shipping in the Sea of Azov, the State Department said.

As reported, over the last few months, Russia has detained a number of vessels that headed to the ports of Berdiansk and Mariupol. Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan stated that Ukraine was holding talks with EU countries and the U.S. to impose sanctions against Russia in response to the blockade of the Azov Sea.

Earlier, experts in Washington warned that Russia had approached annexation of the Azov Sea and that Kyiv has almost no tools to prevent it.

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