A strong protest from Russia has been directed towards both Britain and Ukraine, referring to their recent agreement on joint operations in the Azov and Black Sea areas. Word of the treatment dealt upon them was issued by Maria Zakharova, who personifies the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, to the effect that within the whole of the Azov Sea neither country has room (or cause at all) for combined activities and any attempts to intervene will be met with stern opposition.
This statement comes after the sealing of a “century-long partnership pact” between Kyiv and London, which includes cooperation in the field of maritime security. This document states quite explicitly that its provisions are pertinent to the Sea of Azov. Zakharova stated that Britain has had an age-old dream of establishing itself in the Azov-Black Sea basin, suggesting subtly–not too subtly as a matter of fact–that “Ukraine follows suit.” She described such desires as plain interference on the part of Ukraine into Russia’s internal affairs, vowing in ever so many words that they would be successfully quashed anyway.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also raised concerns about the new agreement’s potential for UK military bases on Ukrainian soil. He said that the expansion of NATO’s military infrastructure toward Russia’s borders constituted “a factor of rather strong concern” and Moscow would have to study it further, according to Reuters.
The aim of the Ukrainian-Ukentennial partnership agreement signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was to enhance defense cooperation between both countries. In Kyiv, Zelensky expressed his hope that after the conflict with Russia is over Eastern peacekeeping forces should enter Ukraine’s territory. Starmer implied that the UK would be deeply involved in such action (PL ).
The Azov Sea, a strategic body of water connected to the Black Sea, became the focus of growing geopolitical tension following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Russia has always seen the sea as an “internal sea” and regards any foreign military presence or exercise in any way as an assault on its sovereignty there.
In response to these developments, Russia has made it clear that they stand resolutely opposed to any attempt that might revise the present status of the Sea of Azov, and have called on Ukraine not to take unilateral action which serves only to exacerbate already high tensions.
