Lavrov: Ukraine continues to block foreign ships in its waters

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Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out that Ukraine continues to block foreign ships, creating a threat of shelling in its internal waters and territorial sea.

In an interview with Xinhua news agency, Lavrov affirmed that "Russia is taking measures to ensure civil navigation in the waters of the Black and Azov seas."

He assured that "every day a humanitarian corridor is opened, which is a safe lane for the movement of ships."

"However, the Ukrainian side continues to block foreign ships, creating a threat of shelling in its internal waters and territorial sea," the Russian Minister warned.

Lavrov indicated that "units of the Ukrainian Navy have planted mines on the coast, in port waters and territorial waters."

The Foreign Minister explained that "these explosive devices are detached from anchor cables and drift into the open sea, which is why they pose a serious danger to both navies and for the port infrastructure of the Black Sea."

US navy staying out of Black Sea to avoid escalation

It is noteworthy that the Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday indicated on Thursday that the US Navy is keeping its warships out of the Black Sea to avoid any escalation with Russia during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

"For the time being we are going to stay out of the Black Sea... from an escalatory point of view," Gilday told a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) podcast.

The Admiral claimed that US President Joe Biden does not want the US or NATO to get involved in a war.