BRUSSELS – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has expressed concern that Russia is restricting access to Ukrainian ships in the Sea of Azov.
“We are of course concerned about the situation in the Azov Sea. We have seen that commercial vessels have been impeded by the Russian presence there. And also the Russian presence in Crimea and the activities connected to the new bridge,” Stoltenberg said at a press conference ahead of the meetings of NATO defense ministers in Brussels on Oct. 3.
“The situation in Ukraine, around Ukraine, in the Azov Sea, in Crimea is something we always discuss [with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko]. And NATO Allies express their strong support – practical and political support,” he added.
Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service reported in September that Russia had detained over 150 vessels in the Azov Sea for inspection.
