You're reading: Maas stresses need to ensure free passage through Kerch Strait

Russia must ensure a secure maritime navigation through the Kerch Strait, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas has said.

“We are concerned about the situation in the Sea of Azov. In Moscow today, I once again raised this issue with representatives of Russia, in particular, in my conversation with [Russian Foreign Minister Sergey] Lavrov. I made it clear what we expect: Russia should provide a reliable passage through the Kerch Strait,” Maas said at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Klimkin in Kyiv on Jan. 18.

“We can hear that this has already happened. We want this to be ensured on a long-term basis. The crisis as it took shape in December should not repeat,” the German Foreign Minister said.