Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko of orchestrating a naval "provocation" in the Black Sea at the weekend in order to boost his popularity ratings before an election next year.
Russia seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and their crews on Sunday over what it said was their illegal entry into Russian waters, something Ukraine denies.
Putin, speaking at a financial forum in Moscow, said the West was ready to forgive Ukrainian politicians their shortcomings because it bought into the anti-Russian narrative Kiev is promoting. He said the Ukrainian vessels had clearly been in the wrong.
Nine more Ukrainian sailors captured during Sunday’s confrontation with Russia in a strait next to Crimea have been sent to jail for two months by a Russian court.A total of 24 Ukrainian servicemen, including two security service agents, were arrested on Sunday, when three Ukrainian naval vessels in the Black Sea tried to enter the Kerch Strait to reach the Sea of Azov.Yesterday, 12 of them were sentenced to months in custody.Today, nine more were jailed, while a pre-trial restrictions for three remaining sailors are not defined as they had been injured during the clash, hospitalized and could not be produced before the court.Russia and Ukraine have been at loggerheads since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea after a controversial referendum.Turkey, as well as the UN General Assembly, viewed the annexation as illegal.Ukraine has also blamed Kremlin for separatist violence in eastern Ukraine, near the border with Russia.'Put Putin in his place', Ukrainian ambassador tells GermanyRussian court jails 12 Ukrainian sailors for 2 months
Russian court jails 9 more Ukrainian sailors
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Wednesday held phone conversations with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts over the recent tension between the countries in the Black Sea, according to Turkish presidential sources.In phone calls with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Petro Poroshenko, Erdoğan expressed his concerns over the tension in Sea of Azov.Turkish president also underlined the importance of resolving the problems via diplomacy.Kremlin also announced the phone call between Erdoğan and Putin in an online statement.Ukraine says martial law not affecting Azov Sea grain exports but outlook unclearThe two presidents discussed the situation over the Russian-Ukrainian confrontation in a strait near Crimea, according to a statement published on the Kremlin website.They also discussed the implementation of the memorandum on Idlib, signed in September, and some aspects of the bilateral relations, it said.On Sunday, Russia seized two Ukrainian navy ships and a navy tugboat along with 23 crew members off Crimea, accusing Kiev of entering its waters and provoking a conflict.It said the vessels had ignored calls to stop, sparking military action.'Put Putin in his place', Ukrainian ambassador tells GermanyRussia intervened as the Ukrainian ships were relocating from the Black Sea port of Odessa to the port of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov.Videos appeared online showing a Russian coast guard vessel ramming the Ukrainian navy tugboat in the Kerch Strait.Ukraine also accused Russian warships of opening fire on the ships, asserting that crew members were wounded and the vessels were seized by Russia.Russia and Ukraine have been at loggerheads since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea after a controversial referendum.Turkey, as well as the UN General Assembly, viewed the annexation as illegal.Russia to deploy new S-400 missiles on Crimea
In phone calls, Erdoğan urges Putin, Poroshenko to reach diplomatic solution