In Ukraine, announced, the beginning of the blockade of Crimea.

(with Appendices)

Ukraine is creating a marine enclosed area around the entire territory of the Russian peninsula of Crimea, intending to create a blockade of this region, and not allow any attempts to even get closer to Crimea. The closed area will be controlled by the Ukrainian fleet and aircraft, which, obviously, indicates a new complication of the situation in relations between Russia and Ukraine.

“Ukrainian officials intend to block the marine approach to the annexed Crimea. For this, the State Hydrography of Ukraine state institution is working on the creation of a marine sensitive area around the peninsula, the purpose of which is to prevent foreign vessels from reaching the coast of Crimea. The initiative of the State Hydrography of Ukraine on the establishment of a marine sensitive area was supported by the Ukrainian Navy and the State Border Service. Now the authors of the project are waiting for the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The State Hydrography of Ukraine explains: the border of the marine sensitive area will pass along the contour of the peninsula at a distance of 12 miles (more than 22 km). The UN Convention in the Law of the Sea allows Ukraine to block approaches to Crimea: it provides for the right of a coastal state to temporarily stop the peaceful passage of foreign ships, taking into account the threat to the security of this coastal state ”– it is said in the material “Radio Liberty”.

Analysts call such actions an open provocation.

“Ukraine is absolutely aware that such actions will lead to retaliatory steps by Russia. It is possible that in response to the blockade of the Crimea, which is unlikely, Russia may simply block the passage of Ukrainian ships through the Kerch Strait. “, – the expert notes.
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Maritime borders. Ukraine is preparing a blockade of occupied Crimea from the sea

January 24, 2020, 7:40 am

• Yevchin Dmitry
• Anitova Inna
• Crimea. Realities

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Ukrainian officials intend to block the maritime approach to the annexed Crimea. For this purpose, in the state agency “State Hydrography of Ukraine” they are working to create a maritime regime area around the peninsula, the purpose of which is not to let foreign vessels to the Crimean coast. The State Hydrography explains that the boundary of the maritime regime will extend along the outline of the peninsula at a distance of 12 miles (more than 22 kilometers). The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea allows Ukraine to block approaches to the Crimea .

“It (the Convention – ed. ) Expressly provides for the right of a coastal state to suspend the right guaranteed by the convention of the right of peaceful passage of foreign vessels, taking into account the threat to the security of that coastal state,” explains Artem Volkov , chairman of the Maritime Law Committee of the Bar Association of Ukraine .

SEE ALSO:

The State Hydrography of Ukraine wants to force a maritime border with Russia

The Russian authorities and Crimean officials controlled by it see this situation differently. They claim that Ukraine has allegedly violated international norms.

“Kyiv’s actions systematically contradict international maritime law and the principles of freedom of navigation. The Ukrainian authorities, causing problems in the Russian-Ukrainian relations, cause significant damage, first and foremost, to the interests of the people of Ukraine, “- says Olga Kovitidi , who in Russia and now in the Crimea is called” Senator of the Federation Council “(the upper house of the Russian Parliament) and who there is allegedly the occupied Ukrainian Crimea.

It is theoretically possible

The Ukrainian Navy will protect the special area around Crimea and detain violators, say the State Hydrography. But military experts are convinced that Ukrainian sailors are powerless against Russian aggression.

Unfortunately, Ukraine has naval forces, but we do not have a fleet

Michael Samus

“If we had a ship group, high-speed, with shock capabilities, then Russia would not be able to close the exit from Odessa. Locking up now can be very easy. They completely dominate the Black Sea, they control it, because NATO efforts are insufficient. Unfortunately, Ukraine has naval forces, but we do not have a fleet, ”stated military expert Mikhail Samus .

The legal version of sea control is more realistic, analysts say. Yes, captains and ship owners who enter the 12-mile zone of Crimea can be prosecuted.

First you need to win a court in the territory of Ukraine, write them fines

Maxim Gardus

«At first it is necessary to win a court in the territory of Ukraine, to write them fines. I think that the seafarers will not pay these fines, and then there will be a reason to file with international vessels to try to arrest these vessels in foreign ports, ”explains Maxim Gardus, a maritime transport analyst .

The experts of the State Hydrography of Ukraine intend to create and maintain a database of such violators by analogy with the so-called UN marine black list. This list includes tankers which, in violation of UN sanctions, supply North Korea with oil.

“Nothing prevents us from implementing such a practice in Ukraine. The majority of shipowners are private companies, they are very responsive to any sanctions that are imposed at the international level, “- said Ukrainian expert, former Deputy Head of State Hydrography Bohdan Ustimenko .

Practical results

Until the maritime regime is declared, Russia operates in the waters off the Crimean coast and sells offshore electronic maps of the region.

The water areas are occupied, we cannot carry out any hydrographic measurements, surveys there

Sergey Shumsky

“Derzhhidrographia actually can not do ( conduct research – Ed. ), Because the waters are occupied, we can not there to spend some hydrographic measurements, research to respond quickly to changes in the situation”, – said hydrograph, member of the Association of Veterans of the Navy Ukraine Sergey Shumsky .

According to international law, Russia cannot trade offshore charts of foreign territories, but it does and earns hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“State Hydrography loses hundreds of thousands of dollars on this. If we talk about Russia, it, in fact, slipped into our pockets. They are engaged in cartographic banditry. That is – they issue maps of our territory ”, – says Bogdan Ustimenko.

But the maritime regime around Crimea will not prevent Russia from producing Ukrainian gas on the Black Sea shelf. The fact is that the deposits are located outside the 12-mile zone that the State Hydrography wants to divert.

Even from their point of view, it is a violation of the law and theft

Maxim Gardus

Five years after the annexation of the Crimea, Russia pumped more than nine billion cubic meters of gas into Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone, violating Ukrainian law, international law, and even its own laws.

“They are located outside the area that is the area of ​​Russia’s exclusive interests, even from their point of view. That is, even from their point of view, it is a violation of the law and theft ”, – says Maxim Gardus, a maritime transport analyst.

SEE ALSO:

Ship Survey and Empty Port: Consequences of Russia’s Aggression in the Sea of ​​Azov

The delineation of the sea

The announcement of a 12-mile zone around the Crimea is a step towards establishing a maritime state border with Russia, which is still absent, experts remind.

«In the Sea of ​​Azov unbounded and unmarked maritime state border. He is not there at all. And the issue of Ukrainian sovereignty is a certain problem. This is a problem of dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, because it is an inland sea, ”says Sergei Gaiduk , commander of the Navy of Ukraine (2014-2016) .

According to international maritime law, the state borders extend 12 nautical miles offshore, ie approximately 22 kilometers – but this does not apply to the Azov Sea. Under the 2003 agreement between Ukraine and Russia on the Azov Sea sharing, neutral waters begin immediately along the coastline. That is, the sea is common, and Russia’s presence near the Ukrainian coast is still legal.

The United States of America favors free shipping in the Black Sea without regime areas, but only if it does not jeopardize Ukraine’s sovereignty.

We want to see a free and sovereign Ukraine that controls its entire territory

John Bolton

“We would like free shipping in the Black Sea to be accessible to all surrounding countries and trading companies that use the sea. Of course, we have a strategic interest in the Black Sea, absolutely right. But we want to see a free and sovereign Ukraine that controls its entire territory, ”said US National Security Advisor John Bolton at the time .

The State Hydrography initiative to create a maritime regime area was supported by the Ukrainian Navy and the State Border Service. The project authors are now awaiting the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

Radio Liberty/CIA

Ukraine is preparing a naval blockade of the occupied Crimea

January 24, 2020, 9:42

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From Avia Pro:

“Turkey began to block the passage of NATO ships from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea, thereby indicating its position against the North Atlantic Alliance. According to the Nordic Monitor, restrictions on the passage of NATO warships from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea are already in effect, and therefore, even US Navy ships cannot freely enter the Black Sea region.

“At the meeting, Turkish officials emphasized that stability in the Black Sea should be maintained (paragraph 2.a); NATO activities will be supported in accordance with the restrictions imposed by the Montreux Convention (paragraph 2.b), and Russia should not be unduly provoked (paragraph 2.b), military protocols are disclosed. Turkey is a key country in the Black Sea because it controls the entry and exit to the sea through a system of straits, which includes the Istanbul / Bosphorus Strait, the Dardanelles / Canakkale Strait and the Sea of ​​Marmara, connecting the Black and Mediterranean Seas ”– сообщает “Nordic Monitor” by providing relevant documents.”

According to current data, several NATO warships have already been denied passage through the Bosphorus, moreover, Ankara motivated this by the existing convention and agreements, however, experts draw attention to the fact that Turkey actively supports Russia trying to prevent any provocations from the North Atlantic alliance.

Подробнее на: Avia-Pro.net

What is Erdogan going to do

The Turkish leader plans to dig a new canal by the end of 2025, which, “bypassing the Bosphorus, will connect the Black and Marmara Seas.”

“Erdogan argued that the Greek newspaper Ekathimerini writes that” Americans feel too free in the Black Sea. “

What has Turkey already begun to do

But conversations are conversations, and, as AVIA.PRO reports today with reference to the Nordic Monitor portal, “Turkey has begun to block the passage of NATO ships from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea.

According to the author of the publication, in this way Erdogan finally “indicates his position against the North Atlantic Alliance.” According to Nordic Monitor, today the US Navy ships cannot enter the Black Sea region without hindrance.

“NATO’s activities will be supported in accordance with the restrictions imposed by paragraph 2. b of the Montreux Convention. This is the requirement of Turkey, which considers itself a key country in the Black Sea on the basis that it controls the entry and exit to the sea through a system of straits, including among others, the Bosphorus Strait, connecting the Black and Mediterranean Seas, “says Nordic Monitor.

Why Erdogan overlaps the Bosphorus

According to the publication, several (the number is not specified – approx. Ed.) NATO military courts have already been denied passage through the strait.

“And although Ankara’s motivation is confirmed by the convention, there is every reason to believe that Erdogan is trying as actively as possible to prevent provocations against Russia from the North Atlantic Alliance,” the material says.

Turkey opposed permanent NATO presence in the Black Sea, rebuffed Romanian proposal

Nordic Monitor – Ahead of the NATO Warsaw summit in 2016, Romania sought Turkey’s support for establishing a permanent NATO presence in the Black Sea region but was rejected by Ankara, a confidential Turkish military document obtained by Nordic Monitor has confirmed.

According to the minutes of a meeting issued by the Plans and Principles Directorate of the Turkish General Staff in May 2016, representatives from the Defense Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, the relevant military forces and the Coast Guard Command met on May 26, 2016, to discuss Romanian proposals to establish a permanent NATO base in the Black Sea and to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two littoral states.

The minutes reveal that Romania had requested Turkey’s support for its diplomatic initiative aimed at setting up a regional naval command under NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), the headquarters of all NATO maritime forces. However, Turkish officials agreed to reject the Romanian proposal since it did not comply with Turkey’s policy on the Black Sea, the minutes stated.

Turkey had previously expressed concern about perceived Russian ambitions in the Black Sea region and called for a greater NATO presence there; however, its relations with Russia have improved since 2016, and Turkey has become resistant to backing a more substantial NATO role in the Black Sea.

The first page of the Turkish military document:

Turkish officials stressed at the meeting that stability in the Black Sea should be maintained (paragraph 2.a); NATO activities would be supported in accordance with the limitations imposed by the Montreux Convention (paragraph 2.b), and Russia should not be unnecessarily provoked (paragraph 2.b), the military minutes revealed.

Turkey is a key country in the Black Sea since it controls the entrance and exit to the sea through the Turkish Straits System, which includes the Istanbul/Bosporus strait, the Dardanelles/Çanakkale strait and the Marmara Sea, connecting the Black and Mediterranean seas.

The l936 Montreux Convention gave the country control over the system and guaranteed the free passage of civilian vessels during peacetime. The convention stipulates that only littoral states can have a standing naval presence in the Black Sea. The tonnage and time spent in the Black Sea by ships from non-littoral states are restricted to 21 days, and submarines and aircraft carriers of non-littoral states are banned altogether.

The second page of the document:

The Foreign Ministry was working on Turkey’s maritime security concept in the Black Sea, and a new concept paper was to take the Romanian and Bulgarian proposals into account, the minutes stated. According to the military document, the Bulgarian bilateral cooperation plan was not discussed during the meeting.

Moreover, the minutes underlined that the Turkish officials agreed not to oppose the formation of a multinational land brigade in Romania, adding that a Turkish brigade would be affiliated with the Romanian Multinational Division South-East (MND-SE). Romania’s initiative to launch the Combined Joint Enhanced Training Center would also be supported by Turkey.

Romania was invited to join the North Atlantic Alliance at the NATO summit in Prague in 2002 along with Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia and officially became a NATO member in March 2004. Four years later, it hosted the NATO summit in Bucharest on April 2-4, 2008.

According to its military strategy document, Romania, in terms of the NATO Force Structure, hosts the Multinational Division Southeast Headquarters, the NATO Force Integration Unit, the Deployable Communications Module Element, and the Deveselu Missile Defense Base.

Romania considered Russia’s takeover of Crimea in March 2014 a direct threat and pressed NATO to have a strong presence in the Black Sea. Following the annexation of Crimea, naval assets from several allied nations and NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 increased military exercises in the region and regularly train for combat proficiency in the Black Sea. Furthermore, a Black Sea functional center has been established within MARCOM, and a multinational land brigade was formed in Craiova, Romania.

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