Germany, China seek to defuse Kerch Strait tensions, as Austria worries over impact on Ukraine vote

The German Foreign Minister has urged Russia and Ukraine to defuse tensions after their naval clash off the Crimean coast. Austria said that Kiev imposing martial law was a “worrying” step ahead of Ukraine’s presidential vote.

A brief but intense standoff between Ukrainian Navy ships and the Russian coast guard off the Crimean coast was an “alarming” event, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said. He called upon both sides to de-escalate tensions, while also criticizing Moscow for what he called “a blockade of a passageway to the Azov Sea.”

Speaking in Madrid, Maas also said that Germany and France could play the role of “mediators” between Russia and Ukraine “in case of need.” Berlin and Paris are ready to jointly step in at a diplomatic level to prevent “this conflict from exacerbating any further,” he said.

READ MORE: Moscow warns Kiev of ‘consequences’ for attempts to provoke conflict after Kerch Strait standoff

Maas’ initial statement came hours before the Kerch port authorities said that merchant ships have been allowed to sail through the strait. Russia had suspended maritime traffic in the Kerch Strait following the incident on Sunday by sending a giant bulk freighter to block the only waterway connecting the Black and Azov Seas.

Germany’s neighbor, Austria, seemed particularly concerned about the incident. The country’s Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl promised that Vienna will do its utmost “to prevent further escalation.” She said Austria will also initiate discussions on the matter among fellow EU members.

Read more

Ukraine puts army on ‘full combat alert’ after naval clash with Russia off Crimea

Kneissl said in a later statement that Ukraine had “properly” notified Russia about the passage of its ships – a claim that Russian authorities deny – but then criticized the measures Kiev wants to take.

The martial law imposed by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was a “worrying” step, Kneissl said. “Exactly in light of the upcoming [presidential] elections in Ukraine, nothing should be done to negatively impact a free and democratic process,” she argued.

While Berlin’s and Vienna’s reaction to the incident off the Crimean coast was quite reserved, some other European officials rushed to Ukraine’s defense while slamming Moscow for what they called an “aggression.” British Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesperson has said she condemns Russia's "act of aggression" against Ukraine.

The UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt also did not mince words as he said that London “utterly condemns Russia’s use of force” against the Ukrainian vessels while accusing Moscow of “contempt for the international norms.”

The European Council President Donald Tusk condemned what he called Russia’s “use of force in the Azov Sea.” He also called on Moscow to actually “refrain from further provocations,” even implying that it was Russia and not Ukraine that staged a provocation near the Kerch Strait.

Chinese diplomats have meanwhile urged parties not to ramp up tensions in the Black Sea, with its Foreign Ministry spokesman suggesting that both sides “reach consensus and tackle disagreements through dialogue and consultations.”

Moscow has earlier called the maritime clash a premeditated provocation aimed at winning sympathies in the West and helping President Petro Poroshenko to “score political points” ahead of the 2019 elections. It also said that Ukrainian vessels had violated rules of sailing through the Kerch Strait and endangered navigation.

Two Ukrainian fast-attack craft and a tugboat were sailing between the ports of Odessa in the Black Sea and Mariupol in the Azov Sea. 

Maritime traffic resumed in the Kerch Strait on Monday © Sputnik / Alexey Malgavko

The only waterway that connects these is the Kerch Strait between Crimea and mainland Russia, and Russian rules require all ships to receive permission to sail through the narrow, complex waterway.

Kiev says it notified Moscow in advance that its navy ships would be sailing through the area. Moscow denies that it was given warning.

Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!