European Union Security Council Members Press Statement on the situation in the Azov Sea

The Permanent Representatives of the Members from the European Union of the Security Council at an informal exchange of views, held on their request, of the members of the Security Council during their visit to Beijing, expressed concern about the recent escalation of tension in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait. They reconfirmed their full recognition of the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, called on Russia to ensure unhindered access to Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea. They called for the Russian Federation to restore freedom of passage at the Kerch Strait and urged all to act with utmost restraint to de-escalate the situation immediately. Detained Ukrainian sailors should be freed and captured vessels returned. They agreed furthermore that after the informal exchange of views in Beijing the issue should be discussed further in the Security Council in New York on November 26th.

The Permanent Representatives of the Members from the European Union of the Security Council at an informal exchange of views, held on their request, of the members of the Security Council during their visit to Beijing, expressed concern about the recent escalation of tension in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait. They reconfirmed their full recognition of the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, called on Russia to ensure unhindered access to Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea. They called for the Russian Federation to restore freedom of passage at the Kerch Strait and urged all to act with utmost restraint to de-escalate the situation immediately. Detained Ukrainian sailors should be freed and captured vessels returned. They agreed furthermore that after the informal exchange of views in Beijing the issue should be discussed further in the Security Council in New York on November 26th. 

ENDS