The US has accused Moscow of “provocation” in response to Russia’s capture of three Ukrainian naval ships and their crews under gunfire in the disputed Black Sea region, the most serious maritime incident between the warring neighbours since the 2014 invasion of Crimea.
Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the UN, used an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Monday to blame Russia for Sunday’s incident in the Kerch Strait and said the US would continue to support Kiev’s territorial integrity.
“We strongly support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders extending to its territorial waters. We express our deep concern over the incident which represent a dangerous escalation and violation of international law,” Ms Haley said. She added that the statement was also made on behalf of the UK, France, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.
Ms Haley said she had spoken to Donald Trump, US president, and that the statement reflected views at “the highest level”. Neither Mr Trump, the White House nor the State Department has issued a statement on the incident.
Ms Haley’s statement came as Ukraine’s parliament debated whether to support President Petro Poroshenko’s call for a 30-day period of martial law after the naval clash, in which Russian ships fired on the Ukrainian vessels and injured several crewmen before detaining them.
Moscow has said Russian naval forces were provoked and only captured the Ukrainian ships after they illegally entered its territorial waters near a maritime chokepoint shared by both countries. It warned Kiev and its western partners against inciting further tension.
“We would like to warn the Ukrainian side that the line pursued by Kiev in co-ordination with the US and the EU to provoke a conflict with Russia in the waters of the Azov and Black Seas is fraught with serious consequences,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. “The Russian Federation will firmly stop any encroachment on its sovereignty and security.”
Ms Haley was speaking at an emergency meeting called by Russia to discuss the incident. A motion proposed by Moscow to condemn territorial violations by the Ukrainian ships was voted down in the UN Security Council debate, with China joining Russia in voting in favour.
Mr Poroshenko, who commands a majority in parliament, has called for sweeping powers to mobilise Ukrainian forces and step up military preparations. He has rebuffed claims by opposition politicians that such a move could affect presidential elections scheduled for March, where polls suggest he is unlikely to win another term in office.
“Martial law does not mean a declaration of war,” he said in a televised address ahead of the vote that sought to ease concerns that the emergency powers would curtail civil liberties. “Martial law does not mean our turning away from diplomatic efforts.
“We need to be maximally prepared due to our unfortunately, aggressive and unpredictable neighbour,” he added.
The EU and western governments have urged both sides to step back from further provocation amid fears of a renewed flare-up in hostilities.
The two countries have been involved in a low-grade conflict since Moscow’s 2014 annexation of the Crimean peninsula and its support for a separatist insurgency in east Ukraine. Kiev has seized on Sunday’s incident to demand fresh international sanctions against Moscow.
Jens Stoltenberg, Nato secretary-general, called on Russia to release the vessels and sailors immediately, saying there was “no justification” for their capture or for Moscow’s use of military force.
“What we saw . . . was very serious,” he told reporters. “But at the same time we need to work for de-escalation, for calm and restraint. Because we have to avoid this situation becoming out of control.”
The EU’s Political and Security Committee and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe permanent council were also due to meet on Monday, while the political directors of the Normandy Four countries — Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany — were set to hold a previously scheduled meeting in Berlin.
Donald Tusk, European Council president, demanded Russia release the Ukrainian ships and sailors. “I condemn Russian use of force in Azov Sea. Russian authorities must return Ukrainian sailors, vessels & refrain from further provocations,” Mr Tusk said in a tweet after a call with Mr Poroshenko.
“Europe will stay united in support of Ukraine,” he said.
Ukraine’s dollar-denominated bonds fell on Monday, the Russian rouble slipped and Moscow’s main stock index closed down 1.5 per cent.
The naval clash took place near Russian-built bridge over the Kerch Strait, a narrow passage between Crimea and the Russian mainland, which forms the only access point to the Azov Sea. Russia and Ukraine technically share jurisdiction over the Azov, which provides access to both countries’ ports.
Russia’s security services say the three Ukrainian ships entered its territorial waters without permission, forcing it to close off the strait by blocking a passage under the bridge. It then said it was required to use gunfire to seize the ships. Moscow said the strait was reopened on Monday morning.
The Ukrainian navy said it had provided all notifications required by international maritime rules before the vessels — a tug boat and two gunboats — passed through the strait.
