French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian
France added its voice to international calls on Monday for Russia to release three Ukrainian naval ships seized near Crimea over the weekend.
"Nothing appears to have justified the use of force by Russia," the French foreign ministry said in a statement.
"We urge Russia to release the Ukrainian sailors and hand back the seized naval vessels as soon as possible."
Russia has stopped three Ukrainian navy vessels from entering the Sea of Azov via the Kerch Strait by placing a huge cargo ship beneath a Russian-controlled bridge, Russia's state-controlled Rossiya 24 TV channel reported on Sunday.Earlier on Sunday, Russia and Ukraine accused each other of breaking international law after Russian border guards tried and failed to stop Ukrainian ships circumnavigating Crimea en route to a Ukrainian port.A Rossiya 24 correspondent reporting from the area of the Kerch Strait bridge near Crimea said Russia's tactic had completely blocked the bridge, which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and that Russian military helicopters were circling overhead.
Russia blocks Ukrainian navy from entering Sea of Azov
Russia on Sunday intervened as Ukrainian warships were engaged in relocation from the Port of Odesa to the Port of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov, the Ukrainian navy said.According to a statement by the Ukrainian Navy, two armored artillery vessels and a tug boat were sent after notifying transfer plans in advance, in accordance with international rules, to ensure the safety of shipping.The statement said Russian ships tried to stop the movement by “ramming” the tugboat that caused minor damages.It said all “unlawful” actions were recorded by the Ukrainian Navy Command and transferred to the international bodies.However, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed that Ukraine violated international law by crossing the Sea of Azov, off the Crimea.Relatives of MH17 victims taking Russia to top EU courtIn a statement, the FSB said the Ukrainian warships illegally entered Russian territorial waters at 07.00 a.m. local time.The statement added that the Ukrainian ships were carrying out “dangerous maneuvers” in the Russian waters, ignoring the warnings of the border security.Ukrainian ships continued its “provocation for around five hours in the territorial waters of Russia,” the statement said, added: "The purpose of the Ukrainian ships in the region to create a conflict is obvious."Bulgaria reported as route choice for TurkStream 2 gasHead of Russian spy agency accused of British poison attack dies
Russia ‘rams’ Ukrainian tugboat off Crimea
Russia and Ukraine accused each other of breaking international law on Sunday after Russian border guards tried and failed to stop two Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels circumnavigating Crimea en route to a Ukrainian port.The incident in the Black Sea reflects rising tensions between Moscow and Kiev around the Sea of Azov which both countries have the right to use.Russia and Ukraine, whose relations remain acutely strained after Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea and its backing for a pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine, have accused each other of harassing each other's shipping in the area.On Sunday, the Ukrainian Navy said it had sent two small armoured artillery vessels and a tug boat from the port of Odessa to Mariupol, a journey that requires them to pass from the Black Sea via the Kerch Strait into the Sea of Azov.It said in a statement that Russian border guard vessels had tried to stop the small flotilla by ramming the tug boat, causing minor damage to it in an incident it said showed Russia was behaving aggressively and illegally.Russian news agencies reported that Russia's FSB security service had accused Ukraine of not informing it in advance of the journey, something Kiev denied, and had said the Ukrainian ships had been manoeuvring dangerously with the aim of stirring up tensions.The Ukrainian navy said the flotilla was continuing its journey regardless.
Russia and Ukraine involved in Black Sea naval standoff