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On Thursday, 13 December, the Saeima adopted a statement expressing support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine vis-à-vis the aggression by the Russian Federation in the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait. In its statement, the Saeima strongly condemns the aggressive and provocative actions by the Russian Federation conducted on 25 November 2018, which included blocking, ramming and capturing Ukrainian navy ships and crew members, thus violating Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and fundamental principles of international law.

The Saeima insists that the Russian Federation immediately releases all the arrested and detained citizens of Ukraine - the 24 detained navy crew members, as well all political hostages and illegally detained citizens of Ukraine.

The statement points out that a  court in Russian Federation-annexed Crimea has detained most of the 24 initially captured Ukrainian navy crew for a pre-trial investigation period of two months, and under the law of the Russian Federation this pre-trial detention period can be extended indefinitely.

Furthermore, the Saeima also reiterates its steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and urges the Russian Federation to immediately discontinue its acts of provocation against Ukraine, to release the captured Ukrainian ships, compensate all losses incurred as a result of its conduct, and to ensure free access to the Kerch Strait for all ships pursuant to international law.

In its statement, the Saeima urges the European Union and international organisations – the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the UN – to immediately react to the incident of 25 November which took place in the Kerch Strait.

Saeima Press Service