EU, Canada, US condemn Russia's inspection regime in Kerch Strait

The EU, Canada, the United States and a representative of the European Commission in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) condemned the inspection regime imposed by the Russian Federation and the obstacles to navigation caused by the illegal construction of the bridge across the Kerch Strait.
The meeting was held on April 10, the Embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reports.

“Following consideration, delegations of the EU countries, Canada, the United States as well as the representative of the European Commission have condemned the Russian inspection regime and the hindrance to shipping that Russia’s construction of the Kerch bridge has caused,” the Embassy reports.

As noted, Ukraine expressed its protest at the IMO to the Russian Federation in connection with the unauthorized construction and opening of a bridge across the Kerch Strait as well as the discriminatory inspections of commercial vessels bound for Ukraine’s Sea of Azov ports.

In addition, the Ukrainian delegation reiterated its call on Russia to release the 24 Ukrainian servicemen, who were detained whilst lawfully attempting to sail through the Kerch Strait.

On November 25, 2018, Russian security forces seized three Ukrainian Navy vessels in the Kerch Strait and captured 24 Ukrainian servicemen. Three of them were wounded in the attack.

Subsequently, the seamen were taken to Moscow, where they are held in the Lefortovo remand prison. On January 15 and 16, a court in Moscow decided to extend the arrest of Ukrainian seamen until the end of April.