During the meeting of the EP Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) jointly with the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), MEPs participate in the exchange of views on the security situation in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Brussels

exchange of views

Subcommittee on Security and Defence

EU - Russia (T)

MOODY, Clare (S&D, UK)

Security situation in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait: extracts from the exchange of views in EP SEDE Subcommittee jointly with the AFET Committee

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/17089777/I164729Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Oleksii MAKEIEV, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Political Director, Russia physically blocked the passage within the arch of the Kerch bridge. Under the bridge they pull and used a tanker ship to block the passage. And they did not inform in due time the Navigation Centers in Spain. We checked it several times: there were no notification by the Russian Federation no official notification that the Kerch Strait was closed.

SOUNDBITE (English), Oleksii MAKEIEV, We intercept radio communication between the Russian crew and their superiors. It was crystal clear from the dialogue that attack was not accidental or spontaneous. This can only be regarded as an act of aggression against Ukraine, with respect to the 1974 United Nations General Assembly resolution.

SOUNDBITE (English), Oleksii MAKEIEV, What Russia is trying to do in the region is to close the ways of see both to Ukraine and to international navigation thereby killing the economy of the Azov coastline of Ukraine and to create military perquisite for attacking Ukraine from the sea.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dirk SCHUEBEL , EEAS Head of Division, Russia , This use of force by Russia against a backdrop of of an increasing militarization of the area is absolutely unacceptable. We call for the utmost restraint to de-escalate the situation immediately and expect Russia to release the vessels and their crew members unconditionally and without any further delay.

SOUNDBITE (English), Robert PSZCZEL, NATO Senior Officer for Russia and the Western Balkans, All allies called on Russia to ensure unhindered access to Ukrainian ports and allow freedom of navigation which is fully Ukraine's right. There is no justification for such a use of military force against Ukrainian ships and naval personnel. And of course the call was made and it continues to be in force for release of Ukrainian sailors and ships seized without delay.

SOUNDBITE (English), Amanda PAUL, EPC, Foreign and security policy analyst, The Russians have been progressively militarizing the Black Sea region including upgrading their Black Sea fleet to increase their dominance. And this is not something that's just happening around Ukraine. I mean it's happening in the broader Black Sea region. Taking into account the military to military bases in occupied Georgia which have been seriously enhanced over the last few years and also the military base in Armenia and then in Syria. So it's a much bigger project than just about Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Clare MOODY (S&amp;D, UK), Are the requests for wider specific sanctions that should be followed through?

SOUNDBITE (English), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), I was a bit frustrated following the G 20 Summit in Brazil there wasn't any clear message to President Putin after he had publicly declared that the war in Ukraine will only end after Mr. Poroshenko l is not any longer President of Ukraine. I - at least - found this declaration as shocking as the recent clash in the couch straight.

SOUNDBITE (English), Oleksii MAKEIEV, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Political Director, Russia understands only the strength and with Russia must be negotiated from the position of strength. We've heard today that indeed the word 'sanctions' is not is not popular, unfortunately here in Brussels and in many European capitals. But please realize that this is the only peaceful instruments the Europeans have, to stop Russian military actions and aggression.