Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Dec. 26 hoped Western countries would not take part in any Ukrainian attempt to stage what it called “a provocation” near the Kerch Strait and dissuade Kyiv from escalating tensions in the area.
Reuters: Russia asks West to try to calm its Kerch Strait tensions with Ukraine
Russian authorities blocked passage under the Kerch bridge with a freight carrier on Nov. 25, 2018. Since then, Russia has said it lifted the blockade but shipping to and from the Ukrainian Azov Sea ports of Mariupol and Berdiansk has been strangled by lengthy and expensive delays as Russian authorities continue to carry out arbitrary checks.
